"Making Today's Dreamers Tomorrow's Leaders," is the theme for the fifteenth annual career fair and training conference sponsored by the society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences.

The University of Kentucky, with Kentucky State University will co-host the event March 30 through April 1 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lexington, beginning at 7 a.m. each day.

In 1999, more than 750 minority undergraduate and graduate students attended, representing 40 colleges and universities and various tribal schools, as well as several high school students, representing a junior chapter.

The MANRRS Conference and Career Fair provides an opportunity for representatives of government, industry, and higher education to connect directly with some of the best and brightest students and professionals in the country. The goal is to provide a forum for students to develop professional knowledge and skills and explore employment opportunities.

At the same time, it provides a forum for agencies, companies, and institutions to meet their hiring needs and goals for the future, and to provide information on internships, co-ops and part-time employment for undergraduate and graduate students; employment opportunities for recent graduates; employment opportunities for experienced professionals; and research or linkage opportunities with faculty members.

Participants will get a chance to talk to potential employers, take tours of Kentucky agricultural enterprises, attend career and issues workshops, and interview for potential jobs. Students who wish to interview should bring at least 10 copies of an updated resume/vita to the conference. Professional business attire is expected throughout the conference, except for evening socials, which are casual dress.

The registration fee includes admission to all sessions, career fair, contests, and the community or campus tour of choice. It also includes Thursday dinner; Friday breakfast, lunch and dinner; and Sunday breakfast. For more information, call the office of conferences and institutes at UK, (606) 257-3929. Details also are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.kysu.edu/landgrant/MANRRS2000.html.

MANRRS is a national society promoting the involvement of minorities in agriculture and related sciences, and is made up of a national office with chapters established at various colleges and universities throughout the U.S.

Membership is open to people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds who support the objective of full ethnic group participation and achievement in agricultural and related science careers. Current membership is made up of over 1,500 undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals in 45 chapters, and includes men and women of African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, and Caucasian backgrounds.