Coming together
February 23, 2006
Students from across the United States are arriving in Ames for the 29th annual Big XII Conference on Black Student Government, marking the first time Iowa State has hosted the event in almost a decade.
The conference, which is held in Ames every nine years, will focus on black leadership and continue until Saturday evening. The last time it was held in Ames was 1997, when Iowa State was still part of the Big 8. Last year the conference was held in Colorado.
“We expect about 1200 students from 60 to 70 different institutions,” said Jowelle Benson, senior in health and human performance and co-chairwoman for the event.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Construction Before Destruction: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.”
FASTTRAK
Complete schedule for 29th annual Big XII Conference on Black Student Government:
Thursday
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – First floor of the Scheman Building; registration and social
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Benton Auditorium in the Scheman Building; pre-conference speaker Joan Morgan
8:45 p.m. – Hilton Coliseum; welcome
9 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Hilton Coliseum; comedian Michael Blackson and talent shows
Friday
8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Hilton Coliseum; welcome and speaker Thomas Hill
9:45 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. – Scheman Building; Workshop 1
10:45 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. – Scheman Building; Workshop 2
1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. – Hilton Coliseum; speaker Jeff Johnson
2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. – Scheman Building; Workshop 3
3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. – Scheman Building; Workshop 4
2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Hilton Coliseum; career fair
7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Hilton Coliseum; speaker Na’im Akbar
11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. – Scheman Building; hip-hop party
11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. – Hilton Coliseum; party with open mic
Saturday
8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Hilton Coliseum; speaker Ako Abdul-Samad
9:45 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. – Scheman Building; Workshop 5
10:45 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. – Scheman Building; Workshop 6
2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. – Scheman Building; Workshop 7
3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. – Scheman Building; Workshop 8
7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. – Hilton Coliseum; awards
8 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Hilton Coliseum; speaker Angela Davis
9:45 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. – Stephens Auditorium; Step Show
12:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. – Hilton Coliseum; “Dress to Impress” party
“Everything centers around that theme,” Benson said. “It is going to be a place for black students to have a sense of community.”
The conference will feature speakers such as Angela Davis, who has been an activist and writer working for racial justice and women’s rights. Davis will speak at 8 p.m. Saturday at Stephens Auditorium.
Jeff Johnson, also known as “Cousin Jeff,” a regular on Black Entertainment Television’s “Rap City,” will speak at 1 p.m. Friday at Hilton Coliseum. The Big XII Conference will also have many workshops on black leadership and building up the black community.
Kristin Spain, junior in communication studies, is volunteering at one of the workshops and said she plans on attending many of the events.
“I’m excited to see what they all have to offer,” Spain said.
Local hotels are taking on the large numbers of students coming to Ames.
“We are all filled-up both Friday and Saturday because of the conference,” said Blayne Carter, receptionist at AmericInn Motel & Suites, 2507 S.E. 16th St.
Although some of the events are only open to registered participants, most of the lectures, including Davis’ presentation, are open to the public.
