The campus was buzzing as thousands of students, faculty, staff and community members poured in to see Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, at her campaign event on the evening of Friday, Sept. 13. The event was held in the McHale Athletic Center (MAC). Introduced by Mayor of Wilkes-Barre, George Brown, Vice President Harris spoke to the eager crowds with special guests Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator Bob Casey.
Bleachers filled more than five hundred of Wilkes University students surrounding the stage. Nolee Ana Grabowski ‘25, a business major from Buffalo, New York, attended the event. Grabowski, student body president, said, “Knowing that our university was picked to showcase a political event that surrounds the future of our country is absolutely incredible.”
Once the event was announced earlier in the week, Wilkes worked closely with the campaign to encourage the Wilkes community to register. President Cant expressly encouraged students to attend the event regardless of who they plan to support to be part of the democratic process.
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see not only a vice president speak at our beautiful university, but a presidential candidate. It is also imperative, no matter who you support, to try and see and also understand the other side. I will talk to anyone about issues. It is so important for your character, credibility and knowledge to immerse yourself in a rich environment with multiple ideologies on both sides and even in the middle,” said Jace Hynick ‘28, double majoring in communications and business. Hynick, from Dallas, Pennsylvania, restarted the College Democrats Club at Wilkes since it was last active five years ago.
“I believe that this event is important because no matter what our political beliefs are, we, as the future generation, should want to be a part of understanding the world of politics. Having the opportunity to attend a historical political event on our own campus should drive all students to want to attend. As students, we are often influenced by those around us, and this event offered a firsthand view of moving forward with making our own political decisions,” said Grabowski.
This is not the first time Wilkes has welcomed thought leaders across the political spectrum to campus such as former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and former Vice President Dick Cheney, to name a few.
The deadline to register to vote in the 2024 election is quickly approaching on Monday, Oct. 21. “At the very least, I feel students should be voting no matter what. You must pick a side. Educate yourself on the policies, and it will fuel you to make your voice heard in this crucial election. Especially in this battleground state of Pennsylvania,” said Hynick.
For more information on registering to vote, visit https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx.
