WDPD in Columbus, Value Your Voice, 3/22/2016, #2
Sara Drury, WDPD Director and Assistant Professor of Rhetoric, guides participants through a voting portion of the program during 'Value Your Voice: Redefining Indiana,' a civic involvement event in Columbus, IN, on March 22, 2016.
Of the Democracy Fellows, the WDPD student leaders who organized and led the event, Drury said, 'This project has stretched their abilities and problem-solving capacity, because it is applying deliberation to the broader goal of improving communities, while still trying to balance that within a state-wide topic.'
Vincent Bowden '17 takes notes for a table that featured IUPUC's Larry Richards, Interim Vice Chancellor and Dean.
There were plenty of cameras present in IUPUC's Summerville Room.
Michael Lumpkin '18 proved to be a smooth facilitator.
A participant registers a vote.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said, 'Being engaged with younger students where you see the leadership skills and a willingness to be open and not set in a certain political agenda, I do walk away feeling optimistic and hopeful. '
Austin Weirich '18 was one of the Democracy Fellows to facilitate discussions.
The conversations were very thoughtful.
Drury and rhetoric student Michael Herrmann '17 listen in.
Demetrius Jones (front) of Columbus, IN, said, 'I see some civil actions happening here in my community, but only on a small scale. There aren’t enough young people who are able and willing to make that change and participate.'
Adam Burtner '17 guides his table through a brainstorming session.
Burtner is a thoughtful listener.
Jack Kellerman '18 smiles in encouragement.
Lumpkin makes a point.
Kyle Stucker '17 makes a connection.
Hermann (left) and Bowden enjoy a light moment.