Lander University associate professor of environmental geology Dr. Dan Pardieck, left; Connie Edwards, president of the Greenwood chapter of People to People International; and Greenwood artist Gene Shirley enjoy themselves at this year's international dinner, held at Wesley Commons. The dinner was the final event of this year's Peace Studies Conference, sponsored by Lander and PTPI. Pardieck, who with Edwards served as co-chair of this year's conference, called the 2013 edition of the Peace Studies Conference "a success on several levels. The theme, 'Champion Peace!' seemed to resonate with people. The conference has new friends, people who expressed enthusiasm for the conference, the presentations and the spirit. Several presentations were especially well received and made a deep impression on audience members. The increase in student involvement in the conference," he said, is another "clear sign of success."