Cosmetologists convene at Purdue

By Laura Pelner
Summer Reporter

Members of the National Cosmetology Association of Indiana held a continuing education conference on campus that ended with a graduation ceremony Monday evening.

The conference, which is a three-year program, is in its 22nd year at Purdue. Kelly Golden, the project director from the National Cosmetology Association from the Indiana board of directors, said she thinks every cosmetologist should come.

"Typically if we can get someone here one time we never have to talk them into it again," she said.

Golden defined cosmetology as the "the art of making people look and feel better."

The conference is held for people in the cosmetology industry who work toward that goal. Anyone who is a licensed cosmetologist, esthetician (skin care specialist) or manicurist can attend.

Golden said this year 82 people attended the conference, which is less than normal. "Numbers are down this year, our normal weekend is the first weekend in August but we ended up having to move it this year," she said.

Those who attend the conference go to different specialty courses, listen to a guest speaker, watch a premier night and have a graduation.

Hair America, Nail Technician America and Esthetics America members teach the courses. Golden said these guest artists are from all over the country and they are the best in the business.

The premier night is usually after day one of the conference and is the first time that people, besides those who design the styles, get to see them.

The graduation is a traditional one. "At the end of the course we have graduation that includes cap and gown and 'Pomp and Circumstance,'" she said.

This year's guest speaker was Jeff Buchanan, the co-owner of the InterTrainer group and a communications specialist for the Trax Initiative at Purdue.

Buchanan has spoke at the conference for the last four or five years and he said he enjoys the experience a lot. "They're a fun group of people. Since it's a three-year program some of the ladies recognized me and said they were happy to see me back," he said.

The presentation Buchanan gave was about motivation entitled "Wrapping Your Rein Around The Big Mo." He said the presentation was successful.

"I think it went rather well. People came up and said they were happy I was there, that I did a great job," he said. "Whenever an organization asks you back over and over again it tells me that I'm connecting with them and they like what I do. I'm always honored to be with them."