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College Life 4 | September 23, 2009 THE RAMBLER | www.therambler.org Self defense course returns to Wesleyan Conner Howell [email protected] Since its founding almost two years ago, the League of United Latin American Citi- zens continues to promote student success and cultural awareness through new out- reach programs. “I started LULAC in 2007 in order to unite the Hispanic population at Wesleyan be- cause, although there are or- ganizations [at Wesleyan], there was no organization that could bring us all together,” said Nathaniel Gagnon, LU- LAC president. On a cultural level, the group wants to bring clar- ity to what the term Hispanic represents. “A lot of people think that Hispanics are Mexican,” he said, “but Mexico is only one of several Latin American countries. I myself am Ecua- dorian.” rough events such as Hispanic Heritage Week, LU- LAC distinguishes the specific cultures that make up the His- panic community of Wesley- an and the United States, he said. “We’re trying to raise aware- ness, raise facts and let people know that we have are own unique cultures,” Gagnon said. Gagnon said the focus of the council’s events is to facili- tate social networking and to develop the professional com- munity at Wesleyan. “We want students to have a sense of belonging, a sense of family, which was seriously lacking before we started,” he said. But the group’s top priority is academic achievement. “e main reason we’re at college is to graduate,” Ga- gnon said, “and so far every member we’ve had has gradu- ated, a couple of them with honors.” e group wants to further the idea of scholarship and cultural heritage with not only college students but high school students as well. “We’re working with Poly High School to start a high school version of LULAC there,” Gagnon said. Along with their local com- munity focus, Gagnon said that LULAC is fundamentally a political organization with an emphasis on immigra- tion rights, voter registration drives and political aware- ness among different interest groups. “People complain all the time that we don’t get the leadership we want, but when you don’t vote you’re not gonna get the leadership you want,” he said. And leadership is a quality LULAC wants to endorse. According to Gagnon, LU- LAC is raising money to offer a scholarship fund. e scholarship will cover the first semester’s books for any incoming freshman who demonstrates a financial need, leadership qualities and becomes a member of any student organization at Wes- leyan. rough a cooperative ef- fort, LULAC members will team up with the faculty and staff of local high schools to promote the LULAC scholar- ship fund. Efforts will center around encouraging young students to continue their education at Wesleyan. Freshman students will have to submit an essay on why they want to be a leader and the grades they achieved in high school. “We want them to get in- volved on campus and show that leaders can come from anywhere,” he said. For more information on LULAC you can attend one of the meetings every first and third Tuesday of each month in Suite 218 in O.C. Hall or contact Nathaniel Gagnon at gagnon_nathaniel@yahoo. com. Jonathan Resendez [email protected] e new Wesleyan Lead- ership Certificate program focuses on purpose, courage and humility and is open to all Wesleyan students, fac- ulty and staff. To receive a certificate, members must attend a set amount of workshops and meetings, perform five hours of community service and write a reflection paper about the experience. “It’s something to maybe list on a resume, but the im- portant part is the informa- tion,” said Michael Chaney, coordinator of student ac- tivities and volunteerism, who is directing the leader- ship program. e purpose of the work- shops is to provide relevant knowledge and skills per- taining to different areas of leadership, according to the program’s handbook. In addition to a manda- tory workshop, participants may pick and choose from other workshops with topics ranging from public speak- ing and goal setting to han- dling failure. “It’s designed to give stu- dents the chance to practice leadership,” Chaney said. “Practice makes perfect. If they apply it to everything it becomes natural.” e program’s design keeps students participating in a variety of activities on top of going to class. “Employers are looking for students who did more than just go to class,” he said. is is the biggest obsta- cle for some students. “Having time to do every- thing will definitely be my biggest obstacle,” said Min- dy Pospichal, sophomore fi- nance and marketing major. Also featured are café dis- cussions, which are a sup- plement to the workshops and give students a chance to interact more, Chaney said. Assisting a food bank and organizing a campus clean- up are two of the possible community service ideas. e community service acts as an opportunity for the students to help others while contemplating the re- lationship between leader- ship and service, Chaney said. “ey are bettering them- selves and those around them.” Chaney said the program is currently an extracurricu- lar activity, but will hope- fully develop into a class. Registration for the pro- gram is at the beginning of each semester, and seats are still available for the work- shops. For more information on the program and a list of workshop dates, contact Michael Chaney at 817-531- 4870 or mchaney@txwes. edu. Courtesy of Nathaniel Gagnon LULAC officers and members gather at the Unity Cook Out. The group focuses on bringing members a sense of family. OF MANY COLORS A vocal ensemble bringing together diverse ethnicities in a singular expression of spirit Friday, October 2 7:30 p.m. Nicholas Martin Hall Presented by Dr. and Mrs. Harold Jeffcoat and Trustee Jan Fersing • Treat Your Family and Friends to a Night to Remember — A Great Way to Introduce Them to Your Campus • Enjoy Refreshments at the After-Show Party at 8:45 • Valet Parking, The Concert, and the After Party are All Presented FREE OF CHARGE!!! featuring TEXAS UNIVERSITY Wesleyan Fall President’s Council and Music Scholarship Benefit Concert Courtesy of Pat Burleson Master Chance Burleson demonstrates karate techniques in a Legends Children’s Class. Conner Howell [email protected] Kelly Neace, resident assis- tant at Wesleyan Village, will host a hands-on self defense program Sept. 30. e program will be pre- sented by Chance Burleson, a sixth degree black belt and co-founder of Legends Mar- tial Arts Karate School. e focus of the program is the concept of awareness and the demonstration of practi- cal ways to stay safe in dan- gerous situations. “e presentation is ex- tremely entertaining as well as educational,” Neace said. Burleson will even be breaking some bricks in his demonstration. e program will be at 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Wesley- an Village Clubhouse and is open to all. Neace suggests bringing comfortable clothing to move around in. “is will be the second time he brings this program to Wesleyan,” Neace said, “and I would like as many students as possible to take advantage of this opportunity.” LULAC reaches out to campus, community Step Up Leadership program calls those ready to rise above
