Miami Student

Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Front Page

Vice President for Student Affairs Richard Nault and Chief Leonard pose for a 2004 picture.

A father, an educator, a musician, and so much more-Miami tribe of Oklahoma Chief Floyd Leonard's legacy runs deep at Miami University and in his tribe despite his death earlier this month.

Bobbe Burke, Miami University's coordinator of Miami University tribe relations knew the chief personally and was impressed with the relationships he maintained throughout his lifetime.

"Do you know what I mean when I say work a room?" Burke asked when describing Leonard.

Leonard, chief of the Miami tribe of Oklahoma, died March 8 at the age of 82. Yet, his charisma, leadership and dedication to education will be remembered throughout the Miami Native American Nation and Miami.

Leonard's son, Miami management professor and Miami tribe member Joseph Leonard, remembers his father's talent to connect with a wide range of people.

"He could meet with political leaders in D.C. or meet with tribal members or he could interact with someone from the university," he said. "He could talk with (Miami) President (David) Hodge and then talk with a student or someone from the maintenance staff. He could deal with all kinds of people and all levels of people."

The chief spoke at three inaugurations of Miami presidents and has participated in many varied events on campus-from speaking to student groups and lecturing on Miami heritage to coordinating relations with the university.

Many student groups have separately traveled the trip to Miami, Okla. to visit tribal grounds including alternative spring breaks, environmental science students, journalism students and architecture students. Burke or another university representative accompanies the student groups as they are immersed in a different culture.

"Despite everything he had happening around him, despite all the different roles he played, he always stopped and talked to the students and answered questions," Burke said. "He was so good about encouraging people to ask any question. 'No question is stupid' he would say. 'Ask anything you want to know.'"

Joseph Leonard divides his father's life into three parts-education, music and commitment to the tribe.

Floyd Leonard's commitment to education came early in life when he worked his way through college playing string bass in local dance bands. His love for music, sparked in his high school years, continued on through the rest of his life. He was a lifetime member of the American Federation of Musicians and performed with nationally recognized bands and musicians. Leonard performed weekly at tribal headquarters in Miami, Okla. His last concert was in November 2007.

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