LANCASTER, Pa. -- The Centennial Conference has announced the Pillars of Excellence (PE), a conference-wide four-part speaker series. Beginning this October, the conference will offer four facilitator-led virtual educational sessions for Centennial member institutions that will focus on the topics of mental health, financial wellness, diversity and inclusion, and professional development.
These virtual events are meant to contribute to the holistic development of Centennial Conference student-athletes. The Pillars of Excellence series will allow student-athletes the opportunity to connect and learn with their fellow Centennial peers through interactive sessions with industry experts.
The Pillars of Excellence Schedule
October
Mental Health- Wednesday, October 28th, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
The Hidden Opponent is a student-athlete advocacy group that raises awareness for student-athlete mental health specifically addressing the stigmas that are present in sports culture. The Hidden Opponent’s mission is to advocate, educate, and support student-athletes. The session will feature a presentation by Founder/CEO Victoria Garrick as well as a Centennial Conference Campus Captain panel, and Q&A.
Together We Will Face #TheHiddenOpponent
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://fandm.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIucuCvrT4sH9K9IR2uWSVAXkwNAdWAFM-j
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting, it may go to the spam or junk folder.
November
Financial Wellness- Thursday, November 19th, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Let’s talk about money! This session will focus on helping student-athletes better understand and talk about their finances in a fun way. Professor Jim Kunz will help start the financial conversation, discuss budgeting roadblocks, and help students gain a new perspective on money management. Jim Kunz is a professor of social work and the director of the social work program at McDaniel College.
December
Diversity and Inclusion- Wednesday, December 16th, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
The 122 Consulting Group consists of a diverse team of individuals that are passionate about inclusive excellence. The session with 122 will provide participants the opportunity to reflect on what is happening in the areas of race and social justice not only on their campus but also in society. 122 will lead an interactive session for the Centennial student-athletes on the topic of equity, anti-racism, and transformative allyship.
January
Professional Development- Thursday, January 21st, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
What are the ABC’s of professional presence? During this session with Will Baggett student-athletes will learn how to present key leadership qualities and use their appearance, behavior, and communication skills to build their personal brand. Will Baggett, founder and Chief Development Officer at Emergent Executives LLC, is widely regarded as one of the top presenters in the country. In 2016, he published a bestselling guide for young professionals entitled, The Blueprint for a Successful Career.
For updates on speakers, promotions, and other resources on the Pillars of Excellence, visit www.centennial.org or follow @CentConf and use the hashtag #CentConfPE on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additional information on upcoming program dates and registration will be released throughout the year via the conference website.
About the Centennial Conference
The purpose of the Centennial Conference is to provide for athletic competition among institutions that share high academic aspirations and are committed to the importance of the total educational experience for students engaged in sports. Its full-time members include Bryn Mawr, Dickinson, Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Haverford, McDaniel, Muhlenberg, Swarthmore, Ursinus, and Washington College, along with Johns Hopkins University.
The Conference was founded in 1981 as the Centennial Football Conference and began competition as an all-sports conference in the fall of 1993. The Conference crowns champions in 24 sports.
For more information on the Centennial Conference, please visit www.centennial.org or follow the Centennial on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.