The mission of Gannon University is to help and encourage students to grow into leadership positions throughout their life.
Therefore, Gannon’s Ongoing Leadership Development, better known as the G.O.L.D. Conference, is making its way back to campus.
The second annual conference will take place from 4-9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, in the Yehl Ballroom of the Waldron Campus Center and this year’s theme is “Strengthen the Leader within You.”
The event is sponsored by the Student Government Association – SGA.
According to Megan King, a senior biology/pre-medical major and the vice president of clubs and organizations for SGA, the conference will feature a keynote speaker, breakout presentations, a gift for attendees and raffles. Dinner will also be served, with snacks as well, and karaoke. King said it’s a great way for students to get involved.
The keynote speaker will be Duane Brown, from Collegiate Empowerment, and he will deliver an opening and closing keynote, according to Jason Frampton, adviser to the G.O.L.D. conference and assistant director of the S.O.L.D. office at Gannon.
Frampton also said that there will be two breakout session blocks and within those blocks will be 8-10 smaller sessions, lasting around 15 minutes. The sessions will include leadership presentations by professionals from Gannon.
Students can register on SGA’s EngageU page if they wish to participate. The conference is located under the “forms” tab. Registration closes Wednesday night.
“This conference is a great opportunity for students to be able to attend a leadership conference that is right here on campus,” King said. “And to gain valuable leadership skills while building confidence in themselves as a leader.”
The idea for the G.O.L.D. Conference began when a group of Gannon students attended the National Conference for Student Leaders in Orlando, Fla., in November of 2012. Last year, the conference had around 75 participants. According to Frampton, this year, 150 attendees are expected.
According to King, after attending that conference, “we decided to bring a conference here to Gannon for the students.”
The purpose of the conference is the build up the student leadership population on campus and to get more students to want to get involved as well as take on leadership positions throughout the university, King said.
“I personally hope that students take away leadership skills that they will use throughout their life, along with an increased self confidence,” King said.
Frampton said he hopes that attendees leave the evening feeling inspired and emerge with more confidence to lead on campus and in the community. Frampton also said he hopes that with the breakout sessions, students will develop practical skills to properly run student organization.
The conference is free of charge for all who attend. For more information, contact King at [email protected].
SAMMIE JANIK
