Dozens of shivering bodies filled Campbell Hall yesterday afternoon on the coldest day so far this winter, but one man’s smile was enough to keep him warm.

“I’ve been smiling all day. It’s great to be back,” said former Ohio State President William “Brit” Kirwan. Kirwan served as president of OSU for nearly four years and, since Aug. 1, he has been the third chancellor of the University System of Maryland. Kirwan returned to campus yesterday to deliver the Sixth Annual Lena C. Bailey Lecture on Leadership.

The lecture, which is sponsored every year by the College of Human Ecology, commemorates the life and service of Lena C. Bailey, whose leadership and administrative skills led her to become the first dean of the College of Human Ecology. During her career at OSU, Bailey headed some of the most prestigious committees and councils on campus.

“It is very fitting that today we are celebrating the leadership of two people — Dr. Lena Bailey as well as Dr. Kirwan,” said David Andrews, Dean of the College of Human Ecology.

Kirwan’s speech concentrated on “constructive leadership,” which involves becoming a leader not through division and power, but from unity and service.

“We can’t all be great leaders, but we can all improve on the skills that we were born with, because opportunities to lead occur at all levels of our society,” Kirwan said. “We all lead by how we conduct ourselves.”

Kirwan said a major attribute of a leader is to have a position of authority, but pointed out that such leaders earn prestigious positions by being committed followers. He listed his top five attributes of a great leader: integrity, fearlessness, the ability to express a clear sense of value and purpose, the ability to establish and articulate a clear and compelling vision and the ability to stay focused on goals.

Kirwan named Martin Luther King Jr. one of the greatest leaders ever. “King’s purpose and goals were so strong and clear and noble that he was able to get support from millions of people from all walks of life,” he said.

Kirwan said integrity was the most important characteristic of a great leader. He said integrity is what builds trust and respect in the followers of a leader.

“I always tell students not to study and work on leadership just because they want to be in a powerful position, but that they should learn to become a constructive leader because they can maximize their ability to be a positive influence on society and other people’s lives,” Kirwan said.

George Bailey, husband of the late Lena Bailey, was impressed with Dr. Kirwan’s speech.

“I have a wonderful respect for Brit,” Bailey said. “He is a man of true character and a real gentleman. My wife would be tickled to death if she was here right now.”

Andrews said Kirwan’s speech was one of the best they have had in the series.

“His message was right on target with what this series was created for,” he said.

Kirwan said he is still a big Buckeye at heart.

“I don’t think there was a happier Buckeye on Jan. 3 than me,” he said.