The planning committee for the Wolcott J. Humphrey III Symposium on Leadership and Community Life has named Syracuse University Head Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim as the symposium's first-ever keynote speaker.

The symposium is scheduled for September 4 at Genesee Community College. Boeheim will discuss the subject of leadership with current and emerging business and community leaders.

Each year the symposium will bring a speaker with a regional or national reputation to Genesee to discuss some facet of leadership.

The planning committee set "Leadership and Perseverance" as the theme for this year's symposium. The committee recruited Boeheim because he exemplifies the qualities of perseverance and dedication, said Charles Cook, President and CEO of Liberty Pumps and publicity chair of the event. "In this day and age, we see a lot of instability, and people selling and buying businesses and moving around from place to place every few years," Mr. Cook said. "But here's a guy who stayed the course, who lived his commitments, and who worked hard to build his team and his university. He is a very dynamic and highly-respected leader."

Boeheim's keynote address will be held at 7 p.m. The symposium will include other events, including a panel discussion featuring local business leaders (4 p.m.); a buffet dinner (5:30 p.m.); and an informal reception with Coach Boeheim following the keynote address (approximately 8 p.m.).

Although Jim Boeheim was the focus of extensive national media coverage after the Syracuse Orangemen won the 2003 NCAA championship, he has received recognition for his coaching leadership throughout his coaching career, spent entirely at Syracuse.

Boeheim, a native of Lyons, New York, began his association with Syracuse when he attended college and played basketball there, graduating in 1966 with a degree in social science. He then became Syracuse's golf coach and a graduate basketball assistant. He was named assistant basketball coach in 1972 and head coach in 1976. He ranks fourth among Division I coaches in winning percentage of games. The success of Syracuse's team led to the construction of the 33,000 seat Carrier Dome in 1984. In 2002, SU trustees officially renamed the basketball court at the Carrier Dome the "Jim Boeheim Court."

Seating is limited. Reservations for the event are $25, which cover the cost of dinner and other expenses of the event. Reservations may be made by calling the Genesee Community College Foundation at 345-6809.