Students of many cultures met Thursday night in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union to hear advice on how to succeed academically while attending Iowa State.

About 300 people were at the Students of Color Convocation, listening to speeches on the importance of education and pride in one’s cultural background.

Irma Wilson-White, program assistant of Minority Student Affairs, said the convocation is designed to welcome students to Iowa State and to introduce them to the resources offered on campus. She said these resources will help them navigate through the university with more ease.

Leonard Perry, director of MSA, said the use of the word “color” in the title of the event is symbolic of the solidarity of all descents. He said he didn’t want anyone associating the use of color in the title of the convocation with actual skin color.

Many of the speakers addressed the importance of striving for academic excellence. Thomas Hill, vice president for student affairs, said excelling in the classroom is the single best thing to secure economic success.

Hill challenged the students to take charge of their own education. By doing so, he said, students will be able to take charge of their destiny.

Success in academics can be achieved by using available resources. Guest speaker Marilyn Charging, director of Department of Educational Equity of Sioux City, said students should not be scared to ask for help.

She said there is an abundance of resources available for academic help. It takes courage to swallow your pride and ask for help, Charging said.

Students were encouraged to speak with anyone from the MSA office, the Student Support Services Program and other services on campus for advice.

Perry said other resources that are often overlooked are elders. Getting to know professors and other staff members at Iowa State and in the community can be very beneficial.

“You make that connection with those elders, and you will walk across the stage [graduate],” Perry said.

Students seemed to have a good impression of the convocation.

“I thought it was nice. The speakers were good,” said Sade Carpenter, freshman in liberal arts and sciences-open option. “It’s nice to be around students of color and get to know who they are.”

She said these events make resources easier to find.

“It was great for all of us to come together and meet new people and to hear what they have to say,” said Sterling Frison, freshman in aerospace engineering.