Challenging. Invigorating. Entertaining. Enlightening. Those are words that are too seldom used when discussing conferences. Yet Missouri State University’s Public Affairs Conference was just that… and so much more. Granted, when initially we were invited to the 2009 Conference on Sustainability we wondered how we would most effectively be able to contribute. It was with great relief first, then delight second, then appreciation third, that we found that the voices invited to present at the conference not only enhanced our own participation in the conference theme but greatly broadened our understanding of it. How could so many extremely diversified scientists, administrators, advocates, writers, researchers and filmmakers come together to create such an organic approach to such a vast subject? It is thanks to MSU’s innovative method of engaging the participants both on the panels and in the audience. We rarely, if ever, have felt so enthusiastic about a conference. Thank you so much for inviting us. We are honored to have been a part of Missouri State University’s Public Affairs Conference.

Michelle Benoit and Glen Pitre
Filmmakers

Upon receiving a description of the panels on which I was to participate, I was stunned. Of the three panels I was sitting on, only one seemed to even remotely relate to the focus of my research and teaching. Uneasy, but willing, I prepared my comments for all three sessions and headed to the conference. Upon arriving, I was comforted, but also concerned, to learn that my trepidation was shared by my other conference participants as well.
I thought, "If everyone felt this way, what sort of panel discussion could we possibly have?" My fears were laid to rest, however, as soon as my first panel began. I discovered that the beauty of this conference is, in fact, the very thing that unnerved me the most. Unlike most other academic conferences, the Public Affairs Conference offers an opportunity for panelists to actually listen to and interact with each other and the audience. I found it refreshing that that both academics and practitioners were asked to serve on panels together. The varied perspectives that panelists shared through their brief remarks allowed a fuller discussion of topics than usually comes from a roomful of academics practicing in the same disciplinary subfield. I was often challenged by my fellow presenters to clarify my thinking or strengthen my arguments. Just as often, I was moved by their remarks, learning a fresh way to look at problems and potential solutions. I hope that prospective panelists will not be scared away by the unfamiliar format. The rewards of participation are worth the uneasiness of the process.

Stacy Ulbig, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Political Science
Sam Houston State University

I am used to academic conferences with 20 minute-long presentations supported by power point. I suffered through most of them because keeping attention focused on someone reading an article for 20 minutes is impossible. The presentations in MSU Public Affairs conference were a very welcome change. Brief presentations delivered from the head or from notes allow for the avoidance of jargon and clarity of a focus; the main points everyone was making were easy to grasp. It is amazing how much content one can deliver in ten minutes, if one is well prepared. I found the conference amazingly rich with diverse content and, most importantly, accessible and enjoyable. Thank you for inviting me.

Elka Kazmierczak
Director, Art for Empowerment Program
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale