High school students from around the country came to Penn State during the weekend as part of a program designed to enhance the diversity of the student body.

Achievers Weekend consisted of three days of programs dedicated to recruiting already-accepted minority students to the university.

"We are trying to make Penn State a more diverse place and make students understand they can succeed here as students of color, and ultimately graduate from Penn State," said Wayne Gersie, graduate assistant in the Office of Minority Admissions and Community Affairs and coordinator of Achievers Weekend for the past four years.

A diverse group of more than 200 students attended Achievers Weekend, Gersie (graduate-counselor education) said, adding that Achievers Weekend was beneficial to future students.

"When about 80 percent of the students who come to Achievers Weekend confirm their acceptance to Penn State, I call that a success," he said.

The students seemed to be more concerned about the financial aspects of attending Penn State than they were about issues of race and discrimination, Joseph Selden, assistant dean for multicultural affairs in the College of Communications, said.

"When money and race are involved, race takes the back seat," he said.

Selden said Penn State's planned tuition increase was part of their concern.

"The big concern among the students was financial support, but we talked about the many opportunities to get scholarships," he said, adding that he also gave them information about national minority scholarships.

He said the program provided prospective students with a unique experience.

"Students meet Penn State students and key faculty members and get to see the big picture of a college experience," he said.

The program began Thursday with a financial aid counseling session and a welcome activity by the Student Minority Advisory and Recruitment Team. Representatives from the University Learning Center, Multicultural Resource Center, Office of Health Promotion and Education and Paul Robeson Cultural Center also welcomed the students.

Penn State student panelists discussed issues such as campus organizations, academic troubles and emotional support programs and gave an overall summary of life at Penn State.

About 300 Penn State students assisted with the weekend by participating as tour guides, chaperones and panelists or by hosting students in their dorms and taking them to classes, Gersie said.

"It is exciting to see future students who have a drive in education and with whom you can relate to," Delmar Washington (freshman-film and video), an Achievers Weekend volunteer, said.

Washington said he felt his involvement contributed to making Penn State a bigger, diverse family.

The prospective students also had the opportunity to meet Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity, and representatives from the Council of College Directors of Multicultural Programs.

The students attended academic department meetings, where presentations were given by professors and student panelists. Students were able to ask questions about their career concerns and other curiosities.

Before departing on Saturday, the students received a session on money management and strategies.

Carmen Bissessar from Midwood High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., said the weekend was informative because it showed Penn State in a different light.

"Even though it is a big school, there seems to be many organizations that would help us adjust and work in a close-knit environment," she said.