Ivy Tech Northwest's Alpha Phi Omega chapter of Phi Theta Kappa - the honor society of two-year colleges - will host the Indiana Regional Honors Conference on October 14 and 15, 2005 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana.

The two-day conference will feature several seminars and workshops on "popular culture". The keynote speaker on Friday, October 14, 2005 is Purdue University Calumet Department of History & Political Science professor, Valentino E. Martinez. A former diplomat with the United States Department of State, Martinez was born and raised in the Calumet region, and retains a keen interest in the role of popular culture in American life.

Other conference speakers will include Chicago State University teacher and novelist Tony Lindsay; Ivy Tech professor Trina Lynch-Jackson; and HIV/AIDS counselors Charles and Carolyn Johnson - co-founders of "Lets Talk About it, Let's Do It" Community Outreach, Inc.

The conference will also feature a dance on Friday night and a promotional Breast Cancer Awareness walk on Saturday Morning.

For more Information on the Phi Theta Kappa Convention or any of its activities and speakers, please contact Ethel Harvey at Ivy Tech Community College, Gary Campus.