Candidate Statements
2005-2006 Officer Election

For President

Jason Crane
   

    I am a senior Political Science major, running for the position of Political Science Club President for the 2005-2006 school term. I feel that I am the best candidate for the job because of my many leadership positions on campus and in the community. Among others, I have been President of the Sigma-Zeta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon (04-05), Educator of the Sigma-Zeta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon (03-04) Parliamentarian of USCA Student Government Association (04-05), and Chairman of the USCA College Republicans (04-current). I have also been very active in University organizations including USCA History Club and the Baptist College Ministry, among others.

    Outside the university, I have always been politically involved, having regularly volunteered with the Aiken County Republican Party, working with them in all of the elections taking place during the past two years, including the 2004 Presidential election. I keep myself up-to-date on all political events on local, state, federal, and even international levels, going out to candidate forums whenever possible. Beyond my political activities, I do volunteer work through Millbrook Baptist Church, the Aiken County Open Land Trust, and more recently assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina through Saint John’s Methodist.

    The Political Science Club, despite always possessing massive potential, has not lived up to the promise of promoting political activism on campus and I am determined to see this change. I would like to reinstitute the Fall Dinner and initiate a tradition of a similar Spring Dinner and I strongly support having the club host political, ideological, and candidate debates here on campus or out in the community. This Club could be the perfect springboard for any students interested in volunteering locally in politics and, as President, I will make these opportunities open for everyone. I want the Political Science Club to become and remain a strong, active organization on campus and believe that I am the man to make this happen.

For Secretary-Treasurer

Janie Lunsford

    I am seeking the position of Secretary/Treasurer of the USC-A Political Science Club. I enjoy holding leadership roles for the simple fact that I love representing a group of people and making sure their ideas and suggestions are heard and considered.
 
    I am a sophomore political science major who transferred to USC-Aiken from Converse College in Spartanburg SC. At Converse, I was a member of the Institute for Leadership, Rotaract, a Class of 2008 Representative for the Student Activities Committee as well as the co-captain for the Converse cheerleading squad. I am a member of the March of Dimes National Youth Council and am currently serving as the public affairs youth liaison for the Southern Region of the March of Dimes. I love the world of politics and hope to someday enter it as a South Carolina legislator. After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I plan to attend law school at George Washington University or the University of South Carolina in Columbia. I hope to someday work as private legal counsel for the March of Dimes or another non-profit organization.
 
    While I was at Converse, I planned and volunteered with many voter registration efforts as well as efforts in educating my fellow students about the political process in general as well as about the candidates for United States President.  Whether it was encouraging students to vote in campus elections or the Presidential election, I could always be found talking to students about issues affecting our campus as well as our nation. I hope to bring this same initiative and passion to the USC-Aiken campus and I think there is no better place to start than with our own Political Science Club.
 
    Thank you and I hope to receive your vote for Secretary/Treasurer.