MSU sends 11 to Peace Garden Conference

“It was very liberating. The professors didn’t sit at the table at all and they didn’t interfere with the sessions. They let us express our ideas and if there is something that needed clarification or a question, they could step in, but I think that happened twice through the whole day. It’s a fun, educational day.”
-- Michaela Brost, MSU League of Social Science president

MINOT, N.D. – Students from Minot State University and their counterparts from Brandon (Manitoba) University met Oct. 20 for the 65th Annual Peace Garden Conference for an event titled, “Canada and the US: Then and Now.”

The event was co-sponsored by the Minot State University League of Social Science and featured 11 MSU students and political science professor Jynette Larshus. According to the MSU League of Social Science president Michaela Brost, the event was student run, giving them a hands-on experience.

“It was very liberating,” Brost, who also moderated the morning session, said. “The professors didn’t sit at the table at all and they didn’t interfere with the sessions. They let us express our ideas and if there is something that needed clarification or a question, they could step in, but I think that happened twice through the whole day. It’s a fun, educational day.”

After a short meet and greet, Larshus and Brandon University political science professor Allison McCulloch each welcomed the students to the event. The duo also closed the 65th annual event. During the day, individuals from each campus presented papers.

“I had the opportunity to lead the morning session and introduce the first four papers,” Brost said. “These sessions are helpful as I don’t know much about Canadian politics and their day-to-day life. It is very enlightening.”

MSU student Julie Small presented “War of 1812: War of the Boarder Land,” during the morning session, while Sharon Emrich presented “Diplomacy Through Music: A Look at the International Music Camp,” during the afternoon session. Students from Brandon University presented six papers during the day.

“We don’t get a ton of opportunities to present papers, especially in smaller groups of peers like this instead of presenting for your first time in front of doctorates,” Brost said. “For Brandon, it’s their senior project so it’s a real big day for them. It was great to see their work and the work done by my fellow students.”

The group also discussed next year’s conference, with the title “Peace and Conflict” featuring World War I in the morning session and modern diplomacy in the afternoon session.

Brost was pleased with the work the League of Social Science did preparing for the event and encourages individuals to join the club.

“Most of us are history majors, but there are also students with minors and concentrations from different groups, sociology, computer science, and athletes,” she said. “It’s something to expand our horizons. We have a lot of fun and it’s a relaxed atmosphere, we play board games and have a chili fundraiser, Halloween trivia with tacos – a lot of service events. The club tries to give people in our departments a place to congregate and interact with people with similar interests.”

ABOUT MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.

About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.

Published: 11/03/17   


» More MSU News