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Source:
Akilah Mahon, 913-707-2645, amahon@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Keener A. Tippin II, 785-532-6415,
media@k-state.edu
Monday,
November 13, 2006
CULTURAL
OPPORTUNITIES, EXPERIENCES HELP K-STATE MULTICULTURAL STUDENT BUILD,
NURTURE FUTURE LEADERS
MANHATTAN
-- Kansas State University student Akilah Mahon may have a lot in
common with businessman Victor Kiam.
The
late Kiam, former owner of the New England Patriots, made his fortune
as the president and chief executive officer of Remington Products
Company. Kiam purchased the company after his wife bought him his
first electric shaver. He became even more famous as the spokesman
for his Remington shaver. His famous catchphrase, "I liked
it so much, I bought the company," made him a household name.
Mahon,
a senior in finance, Kansas City, Kan., didn't purchase K-State's
Multicultural Student Ambassadors program, but she was so impressed
with the group on her initial visit to K-State, she became an ambassador.
"When
I enrolled at K-State, I recognized some of the ambassadors who
were still just as friendly and nice," Mahon said. "I
wanted to try to provide the same warm atmosphere and welcome prospective
students like I was welcomed when I thought about coming to K-State."
A
record number of students of color, 1,699 to be exact, have enrolled
at K-State this fall, up from 1,652 a year ago.
A
contributing factor in that increase, in addition to the educational
opportunities offered at K-State, could be the cultural opportunities
students are finding here.
Along
with serving as a Multicultural Student Ambassador, Mahon has found
many cultural and leadership opportunities through her involvement
in K-State's Black Student Union.
"College
is more than just academics -- it's about experiences," Mahon
said. "K-State is a university where diversity and learning
opportunities are always available."
A
year ago, when K-State's Black Student Union was named the Big 12
Council on Black Student Government's Most Outstanding Black Student
Union/Association, Mahon served as the organization's vice president.
This school year Mahon is the group's president.
According
to Mahon, Black Student Union has been an integral part in developing
her academic, leadership and networking skills.
"Without
BSU I'm not sure I would have had the same connections with the
black faculty and staff on campus," Mahon said. "My leadership
has developed as well. By being a vice president last year and president
this year, it has put me into situations where I have had to make
certain decisions and had to back them up. It makes me think about
the decisions I make before I try to do something -- how does it
affect the members, what benefit will it bring to the organization,
etc."
Developing
leadership in other students is of such importance to Mahon that
she made it the platform of her Black Student Union campaign. This
year's theme is " B.L.A.C.K. By Popular Demand," with
B.L.A.C.K. an acronym for "Building Leaders and Continual Knowledge."
"I
am trying to build leaders in BSU by trying to delegate responsibilities;
to give our members ownership in different activities," Mahon
said. "I am laying a foundation so that after I have graduated
there will be other people that care about the organization. They
will be prepared to step up and continue some of the programs I
have implemented and continue the legacy of some of the other programs
and traditions of the organization."
In
addition to building leaders, Mahon wants to increase membership
participation in Black Student Union by doing activities that members
can actually gain something from. She also plans to start a health
awareness program to highlight physical and mental health issues
of concern to African-Americans.
"It's
an aspect that is often overlooked," Mahon said of the health
concerns.
While
she stresses that the organization is inclusive and open to all
students, Mahon views Black Student Union as a support system that
allows black students to interact with people who share many of
the same cultural experiences.
"It's
a support system that tries to increase social awareness and instill
leadership skills," Mahon said. "That is not to say that
the things that majority students and multicultural students do
on campus are so different. It's a matter of being on a predominantly
white campus and being able to come to an organization that you
feel is focused toward you and have people come in that talk to
you about you and issues that concern you.
"It's
empowering to have that kind of atmosphere around here."
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