An exhausted but still enthusiastic group of LBGTQ advocates and supporters gathered Thursday in Peeler Auditorium to learn about ways to inspire leadership and change on campus.
After a series of conversations and interactive activities guided by speakers Julia Sewell and Don Patterson, members of the group of 25 said they walked away with a stronger sense of self and a stronger impression of what they should impress onto others.
Sophomore Annelise Delcambre said she enjoyed the discussion and learned how to tell her own story in a way that would appeal to others.
"I think that getting an outside perspective of anyone in the DePauw community was really good, because I think that everyone in the community right now is having a hard time of stepping back and seeing DePauw in the larger perspective, so I feel like that gave us a clearer head," Delcambre said.
Freshman John Yates said the conversation helped him to feel re-inspired after weeks of anti-homosexual harassment and community-wide initiatives to change campus climate.
"It was much-needed inspiration and recovery because this whole process wears on you a little bit, so this was like a nice reflection," Yates said.
Freshman Jonathan Reyes explained that Patterson was teaching the concept of power. Patterson said the amount of power equates to work divided by time. In order to greater power over another group, one group must reach more individuals at a time than the other group.
"I think it's important to know that someone can have all the potential, but if they don't know how to harness it or if they don't know how to let it out then it can't result in action," Reyes said. "He taught us that if you can't let it out, and if you don't work faster over time than someone, then they have the power over you."
The discussion ended in a series of presentations with attendees responding to recent events on campus including singing, poetry and rapping.