A murmur could be heard Tuesday night in Room1895 of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union as minority students and math and science professors discussed future plans and career paths.

The Minority Mentoring in Math and Science program committee welcomed speakers from Eastern, University of Illinois and a former graduate student, to talk to students about getting a higher education in the fields of math and science.

Philias Daka, a former Eastern graduate student and Ph.D candidate at Miami University, told students of his journey through school and how students can further their education.

Daka shared how he left his wife and child back home to study chemistry in the United States.

The M3S program assists students like Daka while in college.

“In this journey, it is important to have people that escort you,” Daka said.

The M3S program was established to match minority students in the fields of math and science with professors to mentor them along the way.

Debbie Endsley, a career counselor, gave students critical tips for success and named possible careers for students studying math and science, which could include perfumers, crime lab analysts and teachers, she said.

The last speaker was Lynford Goddard of the University of Illinois.

Goddard gave students his advice for succeeding in school while furthering education.

Some of his advice was not to procrastinate, skip classes or go late to classes. He also suggested finding what time of day is the most productive.

Goddard said, for him, the most productive time was between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., when he pushed himself to finish homework so he could go to sleep.

In past semesters, the M3S program committee has brought in scientists to speak to minority students.

“This program is designed to match faculty with students,” said Godson Obia, associate dean of the College of Sciences.

Joseph Houston, a sophomore pre-engineering major, attended the panel discussion and left with information on what he needs to do to succeed.

“I have interest to do better in my field,” Houston said as the meeting ended.

The meeting closed with a raffle and an open discussion between students and faculty members.

Sam Bohne can be reached at 581-7942 or DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.

Joseph Houston, a sophomore pre-engineering major, catches up with Godson Obia, College of Sciences associate dean, Tuesday at the Minority Mentoring in Math and Science panel discussion. (Chelsea Grady/The Daily Eastern News)

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