Spotlight
The black and gold goes red and blue
The only lieutenant governor debate in Kansas was hosted by Emporia State University on Oct. 24. The Democratic candidate, Mark Parkinson, said he experienced the American dream without leaving Kansas, and he wants to ensure that other Kansas youth have the same opportunity.
One ESU student is certainly jumping
at the chance. Courtney George, a
sophomore from Lebanon, Kan., and
legislative director for Associated Student
Government, saw an opportunity to host a
| ESU Alumni in the 2006 Kansas Legislature |
| Sen. Jim Barnett (BA 1976), Emporia Rep. Anthony Brown (BSE 1992), Eudora Rep. Stan Frownfelter, Kansas City (BSB 1977) Rep. Deena Horst (BSE 1966, MS 1973), Salina Rep. Ann Mah (BSE 1973, MS 1978), Topeka Rep. Peggy Mast (FS)*, Emporia Rep. Ed O’Malley (FS)*, Roeland Park Rep. Bill Otto (CE)*, LeRoy Rep. Vern Swanson, Clay Center (BSB 1966) Rep. Annie Tietze, Topeka (BSE 1972) Rep. Mark Treaster (BSE 1977, MS 1991), Pretty Prairie Rep. Ed Trimmer (BSE 1974), Winfield Rep. Jerry Williams (EDS 1971), Chanute *FS – former student *CE – continuing education courses |
unique debate. Then
she made it happen.
George wasn’t the only one in the
political spotlight with connections to
ESU. Dr. Jim Barnett of Emporia, a 1976
ESU graduate, local physician and state
senator, was the Republican gubernatorial
candidate. Barnett faced a popular
incumbent and eventually lost a well-fought
race, saying after the election that
his campaign was able to raise important
issues facing the state.
Behind the scenes, there’s Lana Oleen
(BSE 1972, MS 1977), who was a steady
ally of ESU as a state senator and now
advocates for higher education at the
national level. In 2006, she earned the
University Service Citation award. And
don’t forget the many ESU alumni serving
in the Kansas Legislature.
As for Courtney George, we have to
love the “Why not?” attitude of a college
student. George was riding back from
a Kansas Board of Regents meeting in
March 2006 when she and then-ASG president Brett
Bruner were talking about possible events. “There’s a
gubernatorial contest coming up. Let’s host a debate,’”
George recalled saying, “kind of as a joke, but as I
thought about it, I thought we could pull it off.”
George’s connections paved the way. She talked
with a nationally known expert on debates, Dr. Diana
Carlin, who is dean of the University of Kansas Graduate
School and International Programs and a former
member of the advisory board for the Commission
on Presidential Debates, which researches political
debates. Carlin suggested a lieutenant governor debate
because the candidates don’t have much exposure.
So George started making calls. She knew where
to start because of an internship with Kansas Rep.
Harold Lane in spring 2006. Also, the state senator
from Courtney’s home area is close to Gov. Kathleen
Sebelius.
She worked 10 hours a week beginning in March,
and 20 hours a week leading up to the debate. George
didn’t know how successful the event would be – but
hundreds showed up, and it was a very smooth event.
It took her 20 minutes to finish receiving handshakes
afterward. “I was very overwhelmed. I didn’t know what
to expect,” George said. “A lot of people were very
impressed that it was at Emporia State, and the
professionalism of it, and the fact that students were
putting it on. I think it was a great event and a great
collaboration of the community.”
There was even talk of hosting the next forum in
four years. “Maybe we’ve started a new tradition,”
George said with a smile.
See the story in the electronic magazine, page 8
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Last Updated April 17, 2008