The Gender Studies Program, Women's Center and Center for Educational Excellence will host the 14th Annual Gender Studies and Women's Center Banquet tonight at the University Center in Forums A and B. It is open to the campus by RSVP only.
The banquet is hosted at the end of every year to celebrate the work of students in the gender studies minor, as well as celebrate students and community members who work for the Women's Center.
During the banquet, nine women who are either graduating seniors or juniors who have completed the minor will be presenting their theses.
"For students interested in learning more about the gender studies program, they should definitely come to the event and see what people study," Director of the Women's Center, Erin Lovette-Colyer said.
There will also be an award presentation during the banquet where the Dr. Linda A.M. Perry Award for Outstanding Achievement in Gender Studies will be presented to a student. "It's a big achievement in the program," Lovette-Colyer said.
In addition to presenting the work of gender studies students, the event celebrates the accomplishments of the Women's Center and recognizes staff and volunteers who continually help make the center a success.
During this time, Lovette-Colyer will also highlight the various events that the Women's Center has put on over the last year.
"We're particularly proud of our newest event we held this year, the Empower Leadership Retreat," Lovette-Colyer said. "We took 33 women off campus for the weekend and talked about the role gender plays in leadership."
She said that the ultimate goal of the program is to eventually create a gender studies major. "Opening up these events for the campus community is one way of putting it out there for people and to gain awareness," Lovette-Colyer said.
