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University of Wyoming

Students Host Caribbean Cruise Conference

A new University of Wyoming graduate student organization, National and International Research and Philanthropic Promotion Organization (NIRPPO), will host its first research conference aboard a ship headed for the Caribbean.
Departing from Miami on Oct. 30 for a six day cruise to Jamaica and the Grand Cayman Islands, graduate students from UW will have the opportunity to bond with other graduate students from around the United States. On the two days when students are totally confined to the sea they will present papers that explain their research as it relates to their master’s or doctoral program.

UW College of Education graduate students Lee Nabb and Anthony Czech, are the founders of the new organization.
“The organization has already been fortunate as it has been able to raise money to sponsor two $150 cash awards for student travelers with expressed financial needs,” Czech says.

Keynote speaker for the conference is Wendi Sorensen, in-house counsel for Zurich Insurance Co., who will talk about “The Power of Creativity in Education.”

“The cruise concept was used to alleviate legal responsibilities normally associated with conferences; its preparation also required less time away from my studies and research than a full-blown land conference, with hotel reservations, catering services, airport shuttles, etc.,” Nabb explains. “But it wasn’t entirely original. I have seen it done by the university where I last taught in the Midwest.”

Faculty sponsor Keith Armstrong, assistant professor of adult learning and technology, says NIRPPO offers the university several benefits.

“When these students approached me with their ideas I immediately saw value in the endeavor: PR for the university, the rare opportunity to share research with students from around the US, some international exposure, and the opportunity to bond with upcoming scholars in a unique way,” Armstrong says. “Most importantly, these student have as part of their agenda a desire to provide service to the community though an annual Christmas toy drive, a diversity photographic show, and a clothing drive for families in need. I can only say how proud I am to have these students as mentees.”

For more information, e-mail Tony Czech at tczech@uwyo.edu