About the Founder

Character Quest founder Dean Matthews, '84, talks with Carthage students during a service leadership project.

Character Quest was founded by Carthage Trustee Dean Matthews, a specialist in experiential learning and a certified leadership development coach.

Mr. Matthews graduated from Carthage in 1984 with a degree in business administration and marketing. He is president and general manager of Matthews Distributing Co. Inc., a wholesale beverage distributor located in Dubuque, Iowa.

Mr. Matthews is a certified leadership development coach (Cardinal Stritch University), HCC Leadership Institute graduate, and Crossroads Community Church Leadership Institute graduate.

In cooperation with former U.S. Army Rangers, he is the past president and co-founder of Leading Concepts Team Leadership Institute, a nationally recognized program that develops team-building and leadership skills for adults. He is the founder and operator of MBA Services LLC. He is also a member of the Midwest Community Bank board of directors and past board president for the YMCA of Northwest Illinois.

Dean Matthews gives directions during a mission at the Character Quest camp in the wilderness of northwestern Illinois.

How We Learn

We retain ...
10 percent of what we read.
20 percent of what we hear.
30 percent of what we see.
90 percent of what we do.

Program Requirements

• Outdoor Experiential Learning: Commando Training
• 360 Class: Situational Case Studies
• Custom Leadership Integration Coaching
• Carthage Class: Required Leadership Curriculum
• Campus Leadership Application Project
• Servant Leadership Application Project

Learn More

"The experience was incredible, and working through the toughest of circumstances as a team was very satisfying ..." Read more.