LU students attend 9th annual Texas Male Student Leadership Summit
On Aug. 11-12, eight LU male students along with three LU sponsors –– Victor Davila and Drs. Freddie Titus and Hector Flores –– traveled to Austin to attend the 9th annual Texas Male Student Leadership Summit.
Each year, the Texas Male Student Leadership Summit brings together more than 300 young men of color and professionals representing school districts, community colleges and universities from across the state. The event aims to educate and engage students on five pillars: leadership, identity, college and career readiness, health and wellness, and brotherhood.
Hector Flores, dean of students at LU, said the students learned how to work together and bond as brothers.
“Our goal was to grow our mentoring efforts and learn from other men of color across the State of Texas,” Flores said. “We want to bring those experiences and lessons back to Lamar University to share and build our community.”
The summit featured guest speakers Dr. Cesar Cruz, educator and social justice advocate; world-renowned rapper, singer-songwriter, speaker and social justice advocate Saul Paul; and motivational speaker Ernesto Mejia.
Dr. Freddie, vice president for the Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations, said the speakers encouraged students to use their voices to advocate against injustice, wrongdoing, or bullying.
“Each speaker taught our students to use their voice to stand up for themselves and others and to uphold what is right,” he said. “Use your voice to help others and to bring people together.”
Prior to the summit, each student group was tasked with creating an introduction chant that represents their institution.
Titus said the eight LU students created something that he hopes will stick around: “Soar like a Cardinal above the rest showing everyone why we are the best. Showcasing what the Southeast Texas can do. Who are we? LU.”
“It was a great bonding opportunity. Sometimes we forget we are not the only one on a university campus facing hardships or barriers and our students really learned during one of the panel presentations,” said Victor Davila,executive director of Retention and Student Services at LU. “I really hope that we can continue attending in the future. Our students represented LU in a positive way and it was great seeing them attend.”