Starting with motivational speakers, the group of 65 student leaders broke into small groups to discuss interracial dating, sexual orientation and solutions for the future.

Luis Ruiz (senior-information sciences and technology), a representative from Penn State Abington, said he enjoyed a session on the conflicts between greek life, athletics and being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered.

"Some think the three are mutually exclusive," Ruiz said.

"Sometimes athletes are gay, and it is hard for them to come out."

Tim Nebgen (sophomore-letters, arts and sciences) said the event prepared him for promoting diversity in the student body at DuBois Campus.

"Our campus doesn't have a lot of diversity, and I hope to go back and raise awareness," he said.

Penn State may have 20 campuses, but it is one university, Lavenberg said.

"People at University Park think this is Penn State," Lavenberg said.

"I think the realization that there are 19 other locations really woke people up and got them thinking that people are doing the same thing they are, and they are not alone."

Ruiz said he learns something new at every conference he attends.

"Sometimes you just need an outside perspective," Ruiz said. "Sometimes you can take things that work at other campuses and apply them to your own."

Sarah Lloyd (graduate-higher education) presented information on how leaders can resolve conflicts in groups and said she grabbed her group's attention with role-playing games.

Many students said they learned from her activities, and asked permission to replicate similar activities at their campuses.

Lloyd said she was honored to teach the inspired students.

"Everyone is highly motivated," Lloyd said. "They chose to be here early on a Saturday morning. It shows they want to make a change on their campus."

For the closing of the event, Diane Disney, dean of Commonwealth College, said there have been increasing opportunities for those of different backgrounds.

She explained how assumptions about basic freedoms have doubled in our generations.

"Your basic assumptions about life are as different from your parents and grandparents as theirs are from their great-grandparents," Disney said.

The leaders said they would love to see this program continue and attract more people.

Disney said she would like to see a bigger and more vocal group at future meetings.

"Pray that in the future we can divide this audience and half can say, 'We are' and the other half respond, 'Penn
State,' " she said.