several colleges
Nellie Williams
News Writer
Students, professors and administration from Saint Mary's and 13 other private colleges considered how to influence global and local communities at the Play of the Mind conference.
Throughout the weekend, participants determined that the need for global awareness on environmental and economic problems, technology, family values and education are important challenges which intellectuals need to face in the new century.
Another portion of the conference focused on the person as an intellectual
Saint Mary's graduate and former student body president, Nicole Milos, spoke to participants.
"It was absolutely a fantastic experience. I met so many women and learned so much," Milos said. "I learned we are linked in our concerns for our community, ourselves, and our future."
Participants also generated ideas of improvements they'd like to see on their college campuses. Ideas included beginning a multi-cultural club to increase diversity, finding effective ways to use technology through the Internet for campus events, promoting school spirit through recruiting by familiarizing students with tradition and history of their colleges, dealing with apathy regarding activities on campus and establishing mentoring programs.
Saint Mary's director of Student Activities, Georgeanna Rosenbush, was pleased with the events of the conference.
"I think it went real well," said Rosenbush. "I enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many fantastic women and get to know women from Saint Mary's College better."
Although there were not as many participants from Saint Mary's as there have been in the past, both Rosenbush and White felt the conference was worthwhile. It will be continued.
"I was very pleased with the number of first-year student participants from Saint Mary's College," said Patrick White, Play of the Mind director. "It's always exiting to see the seriousness and good humor of students, faculty, and administration bring to the work. People come up with really interesting ideas."
Jaimie Ade, a conference participant from Saint Mary's of the Woods College, plans to return.
"I will definitely come back," she said. "I think all the ideas are definitely do-able. All it takes is a few people to get a lot of people involved."
All News Stories for Tuesday, February 1, 2000
