Vanguard

Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: Lifestyles

Last week was the annual Men of Excellence Week 2007. The week began with a "Locker Room Talk" for men only, which was hosted by MOX Treasurer Jeremiah Newell in the Beta Gamma Area Commons. There were two guest speakers: attorneys Richard Woods and Marcus Foxx. It was an open-forum, round-table discussion about what it means to be a black man in the American society.

A few key points were made throughout the discussion. The young men spoke on how it is hard to escape society but easy to assimilate to nothing or conform to societies expectations. They also discussed the unquestionable fact that everybody needs help, but a young man must go and find that help as opposed to waiting around for it be given to him; a young man must chart his own course and be true to himself in order to become a positive, successful man.

To go further in-depth, the group discussed how courage, individuality and unselfishness combine to make a self-made man. One of the guests was quoted saying, "When you accept your purpose in life and take care of your responsibilities is when you become a man."

The main focus of the conversation was to help young black men understand that to prove society wrong and become a man they cannot let others detour them from their goals.

On Oct. 9, MOX held a seminar on "Career Development & Money Management or Students," which was open to both male and female students.

The following Wednesday, the organization was joined was joined by the Women of Excellence, and together they hosted a cook out at the SGA Pavilion. It was kid friendly event and with music and a relaxing atmosphere; most students agreed they needed before their upcoming midterms.

That Thursday, MOX hosted their annual "Speed Dating" event in the Beta Gamma Area Commons. Students sat at tables and held short conversations with the opposite sex for about five minutes and then switched to the next person at the sound of a whistle.

Proud MOX member Nelson Adams III says being a part of the organization has had a positive influence on his overall character and has also inspired him to make use of all of his talents and skills in order to relentlessly reach his goals in life.

"This organization has motivated me to strive for excellence through community service, school events and a variety of other activities on campus,"Adams added.

You can also grow as a person and learn great leadership skills that will aid you in becoming successful. If you missed out on MOX Week 2007, you definitely missed out on some key and beneficial information about life and also some great memories. But, hey, there is always next year.

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