Lawrence Scanlan, author of A Year of Giving Generously: Dispatches from the front Lines of Philanthropy, will provide the opening keynote address at the Ignite Leadership Conference on Saturday, Jan. 19.

Scanlan will speak to more than 260 students expected to attend the conference about the ability to “light fires under people” and explain how energy, compassion and dissatisfaction with the status quo “fuels” these fires.

Scanlan’s book, which chronicles his experience volunteering at 12 different organizations over the course of a year, was selected for the 2012 Common Reading Program and serves as the theme of this year’s conference. The itinerary includes skill- and theory-based workshops from University professionals, community members and McMaster students that foster the development of leadership skills.

Sponsored jointly by the Student Success Centre and McMaster Athletics & Recreation, the conference also offers networking opportunities and a leadership fair where students can learn how to get involved on campus and in the Hamilton community.

Stephanie Shuster, studio manager at kitestring creative branding studio and a McMaster graduate, will give the closing keynote address at the conference. Shuster will discuss the excitement of being an emerging leader and the importance of nurturing up-and-coming leaders.

“Students will leave the workshops re-energized and re-focused for the winter semester,” says Jeremy Sandor, leadership development program co-ordinator at the Student Success Centre.

The conference will take place at the Michael DeGroote Center for Learning (MDCL) from 9:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.