Feb. 23, 2011

Morningside College to host WINGS Conference on March 4 

Approximately 275 young women in the eighth grade at Sioux City area schools are expected to attend the annual Young Women Investigating Science and Mathematics (WINGS) Conference on Friday, March 4, on the Morningside College campus.

The career conference is designed to motivate young women in the eighth grade to study mathematics and science to prepare for a range of careers in such fields as medicine, engineering, finance, information technology and architecture. The conference is organized by Morningside College, Briar Cliff University, Western Iowa Tech Community College and St. Luke’s College.

Dr. Andrea McGuire, chief medical officer and vice president for American Enterprise Group Inc. in Des Moines, will deliver the conference’s keynote address at 1:15 p.m. in Eppley Auditorium. Dr. McGuire is a nuclear medicine physician by training.

During the morning, conference participants will have an opportunity to attend sessions hosted by professional women who have backgrounds in mathematics and/or science. Students will hear about the presenters’ careers and the importance of high school mathematics and science courses as preparation for the careers.

Kristie VerMulm, KTIV-TV news anchor, will serve as emcee for the conference. Rachel Thompson, a Morningside College sophomore and reigning 2010-2011 River-Cade queen, and Terri Curry, Morningside’s vice president for student life/enrollment services, will speak at the morning welcoming session in Eppley Auditorium. Jessica Tinklenberg deVega, assistant professor of religion at Morningside, will speak to a parent/chaperone session a 10 a.m. in Morningside’s Walker Science Center.