This past weekend, student leaders from Big 12 schools across the nation gathered at Oklahoma State University for the annual Big 12 Conference on Black Student Government.

Celebrating its 31st year in action, this year’s conference included black alumni and activists who served as guest speakers in the event’s seminars. Among them were Patrice Gaines, former reporter for The Washington Post; Stedman Graham, CEO of S. Graham & Associates; and Vicki Miles-LaGrange, U.S. district judge in the western district of Oklahoma.

At the conference, some seminars focused on professional and personal development for black students, and there were also career and graduate career fairs to recruit interested students. One seminar titled “Meeting of the Minds” allowed black student leaders a chance to share ideas about how to reach out to black students – whether it is better to hold frequent meetings or host events that are of interest to everyone was a major point of discussion.

Courtney Thomas, secretary of the Black Student Alliance at Iowa State and junior in pre-journalism and mass communication, enjoyed the seminar and the variety of thoughts that was shared immensely.

“It is enlightening to hear about their experiences at their predominately white universities,” Thomas said.

This was the fourth time attending the conference for Fabian Awanyai, senior in interdisciplinary studies. He described this year’s as “one of the best that I have been to so far.” He had the opportunity to meet up some with friends made in his past, as well as form new connections for the future.

“It gave a lot of pertinent information that I can use in the future,” he said.

Another student participant said that, compared to last year, the conference was “pretty good.”

“I liked the organization of the conference and the campus,” said Jessica Robinson, sophomore in pre-business.

Eight representatives from Iowa State attended the conference, including two advisers. The Multicultural Student Affairs office, the participants’ college and scholarships were used to cover the total costs of the conference and travel.