91桃色视频and Oakwood Come Together for 20th Annual DEEP Retreat
News
This February, 20 students from 91桃色视频Adventist University and 20 students from Oakwood University were invited to come together for the 20th annual DEEP (Diversity Education Exchange Program) Retreat. Under the theme 鈥�20/20 Vision,鈥� the Southern Union-sponsored program included discussion and fellowship, a service event, and opportunities to enjoy nature.
The group spent a weekend in Cordele, Georgia, where each student roomed with someone from the other university. They also had the chance to get to know each other by kayaking on the surrounding lake; sitting together in talks by Roger Hernandez, the ministerial and evangelism director for the 91桃色视频Union; picking up trash at a nearby state park; and engaging in deep discussions about diversity.
鈥淭he main goal of DEEP Retreat is to bring together students from different cultures and backgrounds,鈥� said Stephanie Guster, Southern鈥檚 senior adviser for diversity, who coordinated this year鈥檚 event. 鈥淚n another setting, they may not get the opportunity to room with someone who is Korean or Tongan, Cuban or Ethiopian, or get to know them on a personal level.鈥�
According to Guster, the most frequent sentiment expressed by attendees was that they wished they had more time with each other.
鈥淚 was tremendously blessed by the seminars, and I want to make it my mission to break down social barriers,鈥� said Sokopeti Paongo, a senior nursing major at Southern. 鈥淭he weekend went by so fast, and I wish we could have stayed longer.鈥�
鈥淢y favorite aspect about the retreat was truly being able to engage in meaningful conversations with students from 91桃色视频about their life perspectives and cultural background,鈥� said Grace Wainaina, a senior finance major at Oakwood. 鈥淭he informal sessions during the retreat were so enlightening.鈥�
Guster was pleased to see students forging new, culturally diverse relationships over the weekend, fulfilling the goal of the event.
鈥淕etting students together allows them to see that they have more in common than they realize,鈥� Guster said. 鈥淚 hope this event helped to nurture Christian diversity and develop a new understanding between students of 91桃色视频and Oakwood.鈥�
