Special to the Flash
More than 120 Jackson State University students completed applications at a voter registration drive held on the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway on Aug. 19, 2015.
The event was sponsored by the JSU Alice Varnado Harden Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning (AVHCSCEL) in conjunction with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Beta Delta Omega Chapter, JSU NAACP, JSU Alumni Association, JSU Global, JSU Six Week’s Model Committee, and JSU Welcome Week Committee.
“The Alice Varnado Harden Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning at Jackson State University, promotes all students toward improving the human condition through civic engagement. The only way we can improve our communities is to have a voice and the only way to have a voice is to vote. To that end, we want all of our students here at Jackson State University to have a voice, so it is our goal to give each student the opportunity to register to vote,” said Kimberly Harris, Service Learning/Community Service Resource Specialist/NSE Coordinator.
She added: “There are very important elections coming up within the next couple of years and we want our students to know they can not only register to vote here, but they can actually cast their voting ballot on election days here on campus in the Student Center.”
Volunteers like Diamond McCray canvassed the walkway and encouraged students to register during the event that included music, ice cold treats and lunch.
“I’m a political science major and I want students to exercise their right to vote,” said McCray, a junior from Magnolia, Miss.
William Hawkins, a freshman mass communication major from Dayton, Ohio believes all students should be registered to vote.
“With the current situations happening in the nation, voting gives us a voice and a chance to be heard,” said Hawkins.
The voter registration drive was one of many events held during Welcome Week 2015 for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Other events included departmental orientations, comedy show, campus recreation fitness challenge, community service events and much more.
“This week has been very welcoming. You really can’t walk down the plaza without someone smiling or speaking to you. It feels like a home away from home,” said Hawkins.
According to Harris, there will be at least one voter registration drive per semester. The Beta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. also plans to partner with the AVHCSCEL for future initiatives such as, political discussions/debates, “Meet the Candidates”, educational sessions, as well as election mobilization.
Any student who missed the event can register to vote at the MS State NAACP office located on the 2nd floor of the Masonic Lodge which is a couple doors down from the Penguin or call 601-353-8452.
Dwayne Joseph contributed to this story.
Photography by William Kelly III.
