STORM LAKE – Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State, participated in a question-and-answer program with a student panel at Buena Vista University on Saturday, Oct. 12, as part of the 21st William W. Siebens American Heritage Lecture Series.
Among the panelists was Tesia Posekany, a senior Biology major from Woodburn. While at BVU, Posekany has been involved in BV Buddies, a mentoring organization, and the science club. She has also worked as a tutor in the Center for Academic Excellence and as an academic assistant in the School of Science.
Posekany is a member of the honors program, is a dean’s fellow and has regularly been named to the dean’s list. She has also received two National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) fellowships.
Dr. Rice, who served as the 66th Secretary of State of the United States from January 2005 to 2009, was on the BVU campus as the laureate for the 21st William W. Siebens American Heritage Lecture Series.
The panelists worked with BVU faculty mentors to develop questions for Dr. Rice. Faculty mentors included Dr. Swasti Bhattacharyya, associate professor of philosophy and religion; Dr. Thomas Bonagura, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl, assistant professor of economics; and session moderator, Professor Jamii Claiborne, associate professor of digital media.
The question-and-answer session was held in the Schaller Memorial Chapel at Buena Vista University and attended by nearly 800 students, faculty and staff.
Following the student afternoon-panel session with Dr. Rice, BVU announced the results of its capital campaign “See Tomorrow: The Campaign for Buena Vista University,” the most ambitious fundraising effort in BVU’s history. The campaign raised above the $27.5 million goal set forth during the campaign launch in 2011, with a final total of $30,059,697 contributed by 5,656 donors.
The funds raised during the BVU capital campaign will be invested in students, faculty, campus and the annual fund, which supports all aspects of student life inside and outside the classroom.