Students learn political science first-hand

By Julianna Parker

August 23, 2008 12:11 am

— As many University of Oklahoma students gear up for the start of classes Monday, a group of OU students are getting ready for a different educational experience.
Thirty-five OU students are helping out at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, getting a first-hand look at the political process.
"It's really an amazing experience 'cause they get to do the academic side and next week they'll get some hands-on experience," said Alisa Hicklin, assistant professor of political science, who is one of the faculty liaisons with the OU students in Denver.
The students are participating in the Washington Center's Campaign 2008 Democratic National Convention academic seminar. They arrived in Denver Sunday and started a week of seminars before the convention begins this Sunday. The students will volunteer with various organizations during the convention.
Annelise Russell, political science and journalism sophomore, said she's enjoyed learning about what goes on behind the scenes at the convention.
"I think the entire experience is just an eye-opener," she said.
Klint Neal, public affairs and administration junior, said he's learned a lot so far about how the national convention is organized and the presidential candidate is chosen. It's different from just learning about it in class, he said.
"Now we're kind of on the inside looking out, so it's been interesting," he said.
Neal said he's heard what Barack Obama has had to say, but is looking forward to hearing from other political leaders during the convention.
"I really am most anxious about finding out the vice presidential candidate and hearing their speech," he said.
Thorin Wagoner, OU political science sophomore, looks forward to seeing another speech.
"The possibility of getting to see Barack Obama's acceptance speech," he said eagerly. He said the group hasn't heard back yet, but he's about 85 percent sure he'll get to be present at the time.
Wagoner will be volunteering with the convention organizers, working security and other aspects of the events this weekend, he said. He said it's worth missing his classes the first week of school.
"Fortunately, three of the four professors were political science professors," he said of the classes he'll miss. "So they were like, 'Yes, go have a good time. Here's the syllabus.'"
Hicklin and political science professor Margaret Ellis went with the group because the delegation from OU was so large this year. In fact, more students are participating in the Washington Center's convention program from OU than any other school.
"If we were a state, we'd be the second largest delegation at the convention," Hicklin said, adding that only California's delegation would be larger.
Hicklin participated in the program when she was in college, attending the Democratic National Convention in 2000 in Los Angeles.
"It's so much fun to watch my students go through it," she said. "... It's almost like the world is opening up to them."
Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com