By Angel Carr/reporter
South Campus will hold its 10th annual Women’s Symposium 8:15 a.m.-12:20 p.m. April 2 in the SSTU Living Room and cafeteria area.
The symposium is an educational, interdisciplinary event featuring more than 35 exhibits and displays with networking, shopping and speakers. The event is the final gathering hosted by Women in New Roles celebrating Sisters Building Cultures: One Voice, One Heart, Many Hands for Women’s History Month.
“The symposium is a place for elegance, education and networking in our community,” said Triesha Light, Women’s History Month chair. “It is a community outreach event that gives back to the community. It benefits students, community guests, faculty, staff and all attending.”
The opening session begins at 9 a.m. in the Living Room with a welcome by South President Ernest Thomas.
Dr. Staussa Ervin, assistant professor of psychology, will present We Are Family: I’ve Got All My Sisters With Me at 9:10 a.m.
Prior to the opening session and again from 10-11 a.m., participants can view exhibits and network with vendors, shoppers and onlookers in the cafeteria area. Proceeds will benefit the Women’s History Month Scholarship program.
Kathryn Bryan, Fort Worth Sister Cities International board member and winner of the 2010 Bob Bolen Award for Outstanding Board Leadership, will speak in the general session. Her presentation, Sister Cities and the Art of Diplomacy, begins at 11 a.m. in the SSTU Living Room.
Symposium organizers anticipate 165-185 participants this year.
“I expect more people this year than last year because of economically challenging times,” Light said.
The symposium’s committee consists of faculty, staff, students and others who volunteer throughout the year to make the event a success. Carlos Rovelo, who teaches U.S. government and Mexican-American studies, is one of those.
“I have participated in the Women’s History Month events to convey to students that they are not alone when they fail and that failure provides one with an opportunity to learn and develop character,” he said. “We all fail during the human journey, but not all devote the time and energy to move forward and perform.”
Rovelo shares with students the role mentors have played in his life and influenced him to be where he is today.
“Mentors are like great ideas,” he said. “The difference is that great mentors not only provide guidance and encouragement to overcome life challenges but also the human understanding of the emotions, fear of failure and lack of confidence integral to the human experience.”
Entertainment at the symposium includes “A Trumpeter’s Lullaby,” a short composition for solo trumpet and orchestra, written by American composer Leroy Anderson in 1949. It will be performed by Victoria Pool on trumpet and Echo Wilson on piano.
The day includes a continental breakfast and door prizes.
The symposium is free and open to the public.
