Former NBA player and Pamplin alumnus Wayne Robinson to speak at Pamplin diversity conference
Former NBA player and Pamplin alumnus Wayne Robinson will provide the keynote address at the Pamplin Multicultural Diversity Council's fifth annual Diversity Conference on Saturday, Feb. 27.
The student-organized conference will feature three workshops led by corporate representatives. It will be held at 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. at The Inn at Virginia Tech.
“The conference is a great opportunity for students to learn about diversity in Corporate America,” said Pasan Perera, co-president of the council. Perera is a junior from Chesapeake, Va., who is working toward a dual degree in finance and accounting. Students also get to network, enhance leadership skills, and possibly land an internship or full-time position, he added. The conference is free and open to all Virginia Tech students. Space is limited, however, and registration required by Feb. 13, Perera said.
Robinson, who earned a finance degree at Virginia Tech in 1980, will discuss the benefits of a diverse work environment in his keynote address. He is currently a talent and recruiting manager at Nucor Corporation in Charlotte, N.C., where he directs the college recruiting efforts for 30 divisions, and a pastor at New Millenium Christian Center in Greensboro.
During his four seasons on the Virginia Tech basketball team, Robinson helped Virginia Tech to an 81-35 record. The 6-9 forward/center was a key figure in Tech’s drive to the Metro Conference championship title in 1979. Robinson went on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons in 1980-82 and with the European Basketball Association in 1982-92.
The diversity conference is sponsored by Target, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Capital One, and Altria. Representatives from KPMG, Freddie Mac, Cintas will also be attending the conference. “Business professionals will showcase effective multicultural leadership skills and corporate programs, educate students about the diverse workplace that they will soon enter, identify workforce issues, and teach skills needed to excel and progress in an ever changing environment, and inform students about the opportunities for working in this multiethnic work environment,” said council co-president Owen Alberti, also a junior from Chesapeake, Va., who is earning degrees in finance and management. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Apply online. (http://www.pmdc.org.vt.edu)
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