Ridge

Penn State York's latest effort to get students prepared for careers as entrepreneurs will benefit from a high-profile speaker.

Tom Ridge, former Pennsylvania governor and the nation's first secretary of Homeland Security, will speak to students and the public at a free event Monday, April 16.

Ridge is part of the campus's Visionary Leaders Lecture Series and the Graham Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.

Leadership is what the business community has told Penn State York they are seeking, said campus president Lisa Plowfield.

"It was not just entrepreneurship. It was how do you learn the culture of being a leader," Plowfield said of conversations with businesses.

Given his accomplishments, Ridge seemed to be an ideal fit to talk about the subject, she said.

"He's become a mentor for our world in leadership," Plowfield said.

Ridge has been working as president and CEO of Ridge Global business consultants. His message is titled, "Good Leaders Listen!"

While the event is partly aimed at students in the campus' growing entrepreneurial program, Plowfield said local businesses have been calling, too.

"A number of companies have reserved a block of tickets," she said.

Tickets are required to attend the free event. Call 505-8900 to reserve tickets. The program is at 7 p.m. April 16 at the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center.

-- Reach Andrew Shaw at 505-5431 or ashaw@yorkdispatch.com, or on Twitter @ydblogwork