News

Regional NSBE to convene

By Sheree Stubblefield
The Daily Cougar

More than 200 students from as far as North Dakota will be on the UH campus today and all weekend to attend the National Society of Black Engineers' annual Spring Regional Conference.

While staying at the University Hilton, the engineers will attend workshops and classes in the University Center and the Cullen College of Engineering Building. Aside from the usual workshops, there will also be a basketball game, date auction, pool and bowling.

The goal of this year's conference will be to "get the current and future leaders prepared ... and get feedback for the year," said Danyahel Norris, senior chemical engineering major and Spring Regional chairman. 

NSBE members from all levels will be at the conference, including high school students who will compete for a chance to go the upcoming annual national convention for free in Anaheim, Calif.

"People come from all over the United States "to come get educated ... and have fun while they're here," Norris said.

Founded in 1975, NSBE is the largest student-led organization in the United States. NSBE has alumni and overseas chapters in Asia, Jamaica and other places, as well as junior chapters for high school and middle school students, which adds up to more than 15,000 members.

Preparing the fifth region of NSBE for the national convention is only part of the goal this weekend. The organization also wants to "instill within (its members) skills so they can go to the next level and become productive leaders," said Chibuike Nwaokelemeh, senior electrical engineering and vice-chairperson of region five. 

"I'm excited about (the conference) ... it will be really informative," he said. 

Community service is also an important part of NSBE's mission statement. The Walk for Education, which began at the UH NSBE chapter, has become part of the fifth region's community service, and will be part of the conference. 

On Saturday morning, members will walk around the Third Ward and pass out scholarship and financial aid information so neighborhood residents will "know the options for higher education are within their reach," he said. 

UH was a prime university to hold the 10-state conference because its NSBE chapter houses four members of the Regional Executive Board; it is also experienced, having hosted several conferences in the past, Norris said. The last NSBE conference held at UH was the 1999 Fall Regional Conference. 

Hosting and planning the event "took a lot of delegation and networking ... (it will) definitely be a success," Norris said. 

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