In front of a small, attentive crowd Monday, the winner of the 2002 Miss Michigan pageant discussed leadership in Conrad Hall.
Erin Michelle Moss made her first appearance at MSU, and it all came about with the help of one of her good friends.
"I'm a friend of Erin's who also competed with her in pageants when we were younger," said Angela Corsi, Panhellenic Council vice president of external relations.
"I contacted her business manager about a month ago. Luckily she had this date open."
Corsi, a communication junior, said each year the Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils like to sponsor an academic program for students to participate in. And she said Moss showed appreciation for the invitation.
"I was very excited to come speak here," the 20-year-old student at Anderson University in Anderson, Ind., said. "I think it's really exciting when I can use my position to make a difference in people's lives. That's something that's very important to me."
The Stevensonville native and Bible and religion junior chose the platform of leadership development while participating in pageants. She said leadership is very important in the Miss America organization.
"Once a woman wins a title, she's a representative for Miss America," Moss said. "She doesn't just model swimsuits or perform her talents. She has a lot to say."
During her presentation at MSU, Moss referenced the film "Miss Congeniality," which she said she owns.
She said she used to think pageantry was something she'd never be apart of because of all the stereotypes.
"I'm not a blond-haired bimbo who wants world peace," she said.
Moss said she takes numerous opportunities to visit and speak at schools, community events and parades. She said she especially takes the time to visit churches because of her major.
"There's just a lot of opportunities out there," Moss said.
Kinesiology freshman Natalie Schauer said she was excited about Miss Michigan's visit.
"I came out of interest and curiosity," Schauer said. "She's accomplished a lot. I want to learn how to improve my leadership skills and find out how she got to where she's at."
Corsi said Moss' platform is very relevant to MSU greeks and she is proud of her friend.
"Erin feels strongly about the issues she speaks on," she said. "I'm just extremely glad she could come to MSU."
Moss referred to herself as a "leadership junkie" and said she loves going to seminars, reading books and listening to tapes. She also made some strong points about the focus on leadership in America.
"Leadership is a buzz word in our society," Moss said. "What leadership is not about is titles and positions."
Moss said her definition of the word is in a basic, one word form. She said influence makes a leader.
"Every person will influence 10,000 people in their lifetime," Moss said. "Each person in this room influences someone on a daily basis."
She said she thinks most people look at leadership as a lofty word, adding in reality, leadership is something everyone possesses in his or her heart and mind.
"No one has to have a title to be a leader," she said. "There are opportunities for leadership right now that anyone can seize if they want them bad enough."
