Widener University continued its annual President for a Day tradition Monday by placing senior marketing student and ROTC cadet Vincent Starkey of Chester temporarily at the helm, writes Peg Degrassa for the Daily Times.

“It means a lot to be selected for this position,” said Starkey in a Widener release. “Being able to meet the president, staff and other faculty is amazing.”

Starkey will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and will be commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant.

He was chosen as President for a Day from a pool of student applications. Students had to submit a competitive application and go through the interview process, the same as a candidate for the position.

Starkey’s responsibilities included managing the calendar of a university president, which included meetings with university leadership about enrollment and university finances.

Widener’s actual president, Stacey Robertson, swapped places with Starkey so her day started with pre-dawn ROTC physical training, followed by classes while socializing with Starkey’s peers and friends at lunch and throughout the day.

She was grateful for the opportunity to experience what a day is like in the life of a Widener student.

“This will be such valuable insight, and I hope it helps makes me a better president,” she said.

They both arrived at Chester City Hall midday where Starkey was honored with a citation by city Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland.

The President for a Day tradition is an example of the university’s innovative commitment to experiential learning and leadership development.

Widener University is a private institution offering programs and experiences that empower its community of learners to discover and create better futures as scholars, leaders, and globally engaged citizens.

Read more about Vincent Starkey’s day as Widener president in the Daily Times.

Find out more about Widener University.

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