Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this week. (Photo by Patsy Bowles)
By: Blake Haas
NORMAL – College students have become a huge factor in the 2016 presidential race. Illinois State University Professor of Politics and Government Eric Rankin is capitalizing on this factor with providing students an opportunity that will last a lifetime.
Rankin is spearheading a trip that has six ISU students in Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention. Professor Rankin hopes that the students can bring back knowledge to influence other college students to vote.
“How incredible of an opportunity this is, I wish that when I was their age I had the opportunity to do what they are doing,” said Rankin. “And not only to be able to go out, this is an once in a lifetime opportunity. We will never see this specific set of election experiences happen again.”
Professor Rankin says that the election coming up will give the students firsthand knowledge that will benefit the students outside of the classroom.
“This gives them the opportunity to connect what they have read in books, and what they have talked about with professors, to go out and experience it. To have first hand knowledge on politics, ” said Rankin. “This is something that benefits Illinois State University, the McLean County community, and certainly the individual student.”
ISU’s Professor added that one of the major impacts that Illinois State University prides itself on is no matter what your political background is there is always learning to be had.
“One of the things that Illinois State University prides itself on is Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, independent, is that students should really consider an experiential component to there collegiate education,” added Professor Eric Rankin.
The Illinois State University students will be spending a week at the Democratic National Convention.
Blake Haas can be reached at Blake.Haas@cumulus.com.
