The Iowa State Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) will host more than 550 people during their 13th annual National Conference and Career Fair, titled “Science and Information Technology for Tomorrow,” April 2-4.

Mary de Baca, MANRRS conference coordinator and with the College of Agriculture’s administration, said the conference is a way to showcase the university and the departments within the College of Agriculture.

“This is ISU’s opportunity to show that we have a commitment to diversity,” de Baca said.

Terrance Campbell, president of ISU MANRRS and sophomore in food science and technology, said the ISU planners will have the opportunity to add a different perspective on the conference with their innovative ideas.

He said the committees are hoping the conference will run better than in the past.

“With the conference, we hope to demonstrate a strong sense of pride in our organization as well as in the university,” Campbell said.

“I hope when people leave they will have strong memories of this conference as part of their personal history of MANRRS,” Campbell said.

The number of participants registered for the conference has far exceeded the coordinators’ expectations, de Baca said.

The conference will attract minority students and faculty from the 1994 Native American Tribal Schools and the 1890 Land Grant schools, along with professionals in agricultural related fields.

Conference participants will stay in Des Moines and participate in a variety of workshops. Tours of ISU campus, agribusinesses and the Des Moines community will be available.

Martin Jischke, ISU president, has proclaimed Thursday, April 2 as George Washington Carver Day for the university.

A panel discussion will present information about Carver’s life and his contributions to society.

The conference attendees will have many opportunities to network with others, de Baca said.

Through the career fair, held on Friday, attendees will get encouragement for their future opportunities in agriculture and natural sciences, she said.

The fair will feature government agencies, universities and agribusiness.

ISU students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the conference.

Registration is available on the ISU MANRRS homepage: www.ag.iastate.edu/manrrs.

The planning for the conference has involved 55 ISU students, faculty and others over the last year, de Baca said.

She said the committees have worked well together.

The ISU MANRRS chapter was formed in 1990 and is one of 40 chapters across the United States.