MARY WISNIEWSKI
Assistant Living Editor
Coming to Pepperdine from San Francisco, sophomore Emma Wnuk said she finds her political views are different from many at the university.
Wnuk is liberal at a school composed of many conservatives, but she did not let this difference stop her from entering the political arena on campus nor deter her from wanting to make politics or foreign relations her career.
To help prepare for her political future and exercise her interest in politics, Wnuk is the current secretary for the Young Democrats. Wnuk said her interest in politics makes her want to help make the club stronger.
“I want to help the club grow so students can join and be proud,” Wnuk said.
Wnuk is not the only student interested in politics.
Junior Allison Ellingson is majoring in political science and said she eventually wants to work in government. She is the vice president for the College Republicans and remains active in the club because of those interests.
Although Wnuk and Ellingson are on the opposite political spectrum, both are in political clubs in part to get their voices heard as well as to encourage other voices to be heard.
Ellingson said elections demonstrate America’s principles of liberty and equality, and it is important for people to simply vote to exercise these rights.
“We want people actively participating,” Ellingson said.
The Young Democrats also support student participation.
This year they have held a John Kerry question and answer session that helped raise money and brought awareness for the club. Wnuk said the event, according to the sign-in sheet, brought in approximately 120 guests and raised roughly $450.
Faculty advisor Todd Bouldin for the Young Democrats said it has been an exciting year for the club, especially with John Kerry speaking.
“It was a great kick-off event that permitted us to raise money and cultivate interest,” Bouldin said.
Cultivating interest in the Young Democrats is one of their goals this year. Bouldin said some of the other aims of the Young Democrats are to build the club up, reach out to alumni as well as to get out the vote.
To gear up for the midterm elections, Wnuk said club members will be setting their agenda in their upcoming meetings.
“Our generation needs to get out and vote,” Wnuk said.
This may be one of the few things Wnuk and Ellingson agree on politically.
“We’ve [College Republicans] been working a lot on the campaign,” Ellingson said. “We want to maintain a Republican candidate in office.”
To help achieve this, their work extends outside the limits of Malibu.
President of College Republicans Katie Black said at least six consistent members of the club have been volunteering for the Arnold Schwarzenegger campaign, and others will be in San Diego the weekend before the elections.
Black said she took on the role of president as a means to help people learn about the political process, educate people about Republican values and ultimately get people involved in politics.
“I want people to get to experience first-hand the benefits of active participation and to help Pepperdine become less apathetic,” Black wrote in an e-mail.
Black said the main focus of the club is the upcoming elections.
“It is our priority to help win the election, and everything else has taken a back seat,” Black said.
Whether Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, elephant or donkey, one thing is for sure: Pepperdine can get political for the midterm elections.
10-26-2006