Thursday, November 21, 2002 TODAY
School of Public Health news
Students bond during School of Public Health retreat
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| Sabbath morning, children paint flowerpots before placing their plant inside while the adults attend group discussions on diversity. |
Diversity radiated Pine Springs Ranch as the School of Public Health held their annual retreat on November 1 to 3. About 170 individuals spent the weekend bonding in an inspirational and fun-filled setting.
“As far as I know, this is the largest turnout we’ve had for our annual retreat,” says Susanna Volkov, assistant to the associate dean, School of Public Health.
Not only did many people attend, many people from diverse ethnic backgrounds came. The theme for the retreat, “diversity,” fit well. The School of Public Health has students from China and India to Mexico and Pakistan. Students practice different religions, as well, such as Islam and Buddhism.
“Looking around, you can see how diversified our school is. It’s really cool,” says Ms. Volkov.
Friday evening started out with vespers and icebreakers. Then, hot chocolate
and s’mores savored sweet-toothed appetites while the group socialized.
The next morning, adults participated in church and group discussions
while the children painted flowerpots before placing their plant in it.
Some painted picture frames instead and framed dried leaves and flowers.
In the afternoon, hikers enjoyed the great
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| Brian Hayward, international health student, proudly displays his new microwave, just one of many prizes for the drawing on Saturday night. |
outdoors, game-lovers played Bible games, and some took a tour of Pine Springs Ranch. The tour group leader, Larry Beeson, DrPH, assistant professor, School of Public Health, showed the in’s and out’s of the campground. As a pathfinder, Dr. Beeson helped build the first lodge which was replaced after a fire destroyed it.
“It was really interesting to look at the different facilities they’ve developed like the fort and the reconstructed mine,” says Dianne Butler, MS, MBA, RD, director of professional education and distance learning.
After vespers on Saturday evening, the talent show hit front and center as a dozen performers made their way on stage. Afterwards, people got a chance to win a DVD player, a microwave, tickets to Disneyland, gift certificates, and other prizes that were donated for the occasion.
Students thought the theme for the weekend—diversity—was helpful. “We got a better understanding of diversity on how to connect with people from different backgrounds,” says Tosin Atolagbe, second year nutrition student. “We now have a stronger bond.”
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Thursday, November 21, 2002 TODAY
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