The 2009 annual Program Directors' Conference was hosted by Swarthmore College on November 2 and 3. During the conference, Program Directors from Periclean campuses met to discuss issues of common concern.
The conference began with opening remarks from Eugene M. Lang and Rebecca Chopp, the President of Swarthmore College. The first day of the conference featured a discussion on civic engagement programs led by Brian Rosenberg, the President of Macalester College and the Chair of the Project Pericles Presidents' Council. During this discussion, Program Directors shared best practices, successes, and challenges they face at their colleges.
Later in the day, Program Directors attended a poster session at the Eugene M. Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility at Swarthmore. Program Directors had a chance to speak with students from a variety of Swarthmore student groups including the Global Health Forum, Pemón Health, Saturdays of Service, Sudan Radio Project, Swarthmore STAND, the Village Education Project, and War News Radio. At the conclusion of the first day, Program Directors attended a wonderful dinner at President Chopp's home. President Chopp and President James Harris from Widener University addressed the dinner attendees.
The highlight of the second day of the conference were visits to three community partners who work closely with faculty and students from Swarthmore College and Widener University. Program Directors visited the Chester Community Improvement Project, an organization that helps revitalize the City of Chester by building the base of home ownership; the College Access Center of Delaware County, an organization run by Swarthmore College, Widener University, and other Pennsylvania colleges that provides comprehensive college services; and Chester Eastside Ministries, an outreach ministry dedicated to serving and empowering the Chester community. At each of these sites, Program Directors spoke with Swarthmore faculty and students, and staff from the community group and learned more about the organizations.
Project Pericles thanks everybody who helped make this conference such a success, with special thanks to everyone from Swarthmore College and its Lang Center for Civic and Social Reponsibility.
