Our conference, "Persevering Through the Years," serves to celebrate the achievements of women engineers as a result of their perseverance through ever-changing academic and professional environments. This conference will recognize the experiences of women engineers while celebrating the 60-Year Anniversary of the Society of Women Engineers, as well as the 50-Year Anniversary of the University of Illinois' Collegiate Section.

Every aspect of our conference is designed to help participants define their personal success and determine the necessary steps to achieve their goals, whether their ultimate aspirations lie in industry or academia. The featured events of our conference include workshops, networking events, a career fair, tours, and keynote speakers to promote collaboration and development among participants.

Hallene Gateway (pictured right) is a great example of our theme. When New Main was razed in 1938, its portal was saved and placed behind the Architecture building. Though the years the portal was slowly forgotten and eventually was moved out to Allerton Park for storage. In 1994 it was rediscovered near maintenance sheds among "brush, raspberry brushes and small trees" and a backhoe had to be called in to help unearth it. Alan M. and Phyllis Welsh Hallene, graduates of the class of 1951, donated the money to restore the portal and landscape a plaza to display it in.