What does it really mean to be a Warrior?
A Warrior is:
- A Champion of Social Justice
- Committed to Self Growth
- Willing to Sacrifice for the Greater Good
- Positive, Honest, and Loyal
- Respectful of the Environment and Community
- Dedicated to Empowering Others
- Accountable for One's Actions
Let’s all embrace the Way of the Warrior and strengthen campus civility and integrity in all we do. And each time we refer to one another as a Warrior, let’s remember the great principles on which an ESU Warrior stands.
Former President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.
Learn More About The Way of the Warrior
"It’s important to understand that we all play a part as leaders, as educators. We can be change agents to see the changes that we want to see in the world and that’s the true work of diversity, equity, and inclusion. That’s what we’re striving for here at ESU."
“As a student leader I try to make sure that I involve students and faculty and administration and staff who have different perspectives than I do which only enriches your own perspective and your own growth in that aspect.”
"Willing to sacrifice is such a huge component of this can by making yourself better you make the community of ESU better by making a community better you make America a better country to live in."
"You’re always mindful of who you’re representing. So when I step onto that field I’m representing the ESU field hockey team. I always need to make sure that not only am I myself, but I’m representing the school."
"My time at ESU really helped me grow in my respect and appreciation for all that we have in our environment and I really learned to appreciate the outdoors and all that it offers and all that should be respected."
"We have over seven billion people on this planet and we have a lot of problems to solve and with their collective consciousness our collective intelligence we have the ability really to solve a lot of those problems."
"The way we train the way we practice and the way we live is something that we believe in."
Jared Hildabrant was on a mission ... and, suddenly, Way of the Warrior was born.
In 2011, an electrician within the facilities management department and a member of ESU’s staff advisory committee directly linked to the university’s strategic plan, Jared Hildabrant, decided ESU needed to provide a framework for the institution's values that could be shared with the entire campus community. He researched other universities’ codes of ethics. “I found them to be like user agreements, filled with stuff that was hard to digest,” he said. “I wanted to make ESU’s something you can read and process in 15 seconds. I wanted something simple.”
Hildabrant started doodling in a notebook. He wrote down a few words that describe a warrior, and suddenly, an image popped into his head. His vision took him back to some old Kung Fu movies he had seen, and reminded him of Bushido, the traditional Samurai code of honor, discipline and morality. It is also known as “the way of the warrior.”
A slogan – “Way of the Warrior” – came to life.
Hildabrant shared his idea with members of the staff advisory committee. “I could see by the look in their eyes we were on to something during the meeting,” Hildabrant said. “There was never really a doubt.” As he shared his idea it was obvious the slogan and seven core values skyrocketed with popularity among the committee members.
A few weeks later, the Way of the Warrior was presented to the University Senate, which consists of staff, faculty, students and administrators, where it received a cohesive, positive response.
The entire University has been embracing the Way of the Warrior ever since. In 2015 The Walk of the Warrior began. The Walk is typically the last event of move-in weekend each fall semester, and serves an opportunity to welcome in students to campus ingraining in them what it means to be a Warrior.
Contact Us
Campus Address
Reibman Administration Building
(570) 422-3532
(570) 422-3846 (Fax)
Director, University Marketing & Communications
Elizabeth Richardson
erichard10@esu.edu
(570) 422-3139
