To encourage exchange and collaboration, the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation sponsors a national convention every two years. This is a remarkable opportunity for the scholars to come together for learning, sharing, and creative expression.
The next convention will be held in the spring of 2013 at the University of Michigan. While the agenda is still being developed, this convention will likely host about 300 students from 24 schools, compared to 110 from nine schools at the first one.
The inaugural convention was held at the University of Miami in late February of 2011. Speakers included: Donna Shalala, president of the University of Miami; Alberto Ibargüen, president and CEO of the Knight Foundation; Jeremy Farris, Georgia Tech Stamps Scholar alumnus and Rhodes Scholar; and Roe and Penny Stamps. Scholars participated in discussions on a variety of topics, experienced a Miami Heat basketball game, visited with Roe and Penny at their home in Coconut Grove, enjoyed performances by Stamps Scholar ensembles from the University of Miami, and came together to share their creativity at a talent show, with acts ranging from solo violin, group dance, poetry recitation, and ensemble singing, often rewriting the lyrics to songs to make them more applicable to the audience gathered for the event.