V.I.S.I.O.N.S. event set for Thursday

V.I.S.I.O.N.S. (Various Illustrations Sharing and Introducing Organizations to New Students) will hold its annual program Thursday, Sept. 9 in the Ferguson Social Sciences Auditorium.

Assistant Dean of Campus Life and Development Robert Dotson is heavily involved in planning the program.

"Historically, the V.I.S.I.O.N.S program was designed to showcase student groups and resources to the minority students here on campus," he said.

According to Dotson, the group has been a part of the A&M-Commerce campus "in terms of a tradition" since the late ‘80s.

The V.I.S.I.O.N.S. program for the spring 2010 semester was cancelled, as Dotson has been making an effort to re-shift the program's main emphasis to educational issues.

"When I came to the university, it was a little less educational and a little more entertaining," he said. "I felt that I wanted to redirect the program to give it a little more of an educational flavor again."

He is also attempting to diversify the program by bringing in representatives from a larger variety of organizations.

"I've taken a little more of a global stance," he said.

Dotson said the program will feature representatives from various campus groups such as Greek organizations, the Association for the Needs of Gay and Lesbian Students (ANGLS) and the Student Government Association (SGA), as well as from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Association of Colored Women.

A representative will speak on behalf of the Lions football team in order, "…to rally and give kind of a shout-out to the athletics, especially given that V.I.S.I.O.N.S. is on Thursday and the Harvey Martin Classic is on Saturday, so we've incorporated that piece," Dotson said.

The program always features a guest speaker. This year's speaker will be Bert Beal, president and CEO of the Dallas Telco Federal Credit Union and an A&M-Commerce alumnus.

"All of my guest speakers are given the task, if you will, to put in their own words, little pearls of wisdom – motivation, student success and what that means, seizing educational opportunities, have fun but don't have too much," Dotson said. "They're kind of given the parameters of what I'm wanting them to say, but put it in their words."

On average, Dotson said previous programs have attracted crowds of 800-900, including Commerce residents and A&M-Commerce alumni.

"It is such a widely known event that we oftentimes have recent grads and even not so recent grads come back for it," he said. "It's a big deal."

The program also provides students with access to faculty and staff in a casual setting.

"It gives students, both new and returning, an opportunity to see what is available to them," he said. "It also gives students an opportunity to see faculty and staff and to network and see them outside of the classroom," he said. "It gives them (students) a glimpse of reality. They're not used to seeing faculty and staff outside of professional settings."

The program is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and the program will run from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.