2008 Woodie Awards
Students, faculty watch Super Tuesday results come in
John Sweeney
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
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Students and faculty members watched results pour in from 24 different primary contests.
Visits from the Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama campaigns earlier this semester have sparked in students an interest in political affairs.
Dr. David White, associate professor of political science, has played an active role in bringing many of the events to FMU and helping to organize the Super Tuesday event.
"I worked in Washington, so I'm familiar with this," White said. "But then I went to grad school in Arizona, and I realized how little most people get exposed to this."
White said contacts from former students who are working for various campaigns have helped get candidates and their representatives on campus.
"I'm sure at some point I said, 'If you ever want to come to Francis Marion…'" White said. "So you put it in the back of their mind, and then they finally take you up on it."
Students and faculty have taken advantage of these events and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to do so.
Dr. Beckie Flannagan, associate professor of English, said she's happy the campaigns have stopped at Francis Marion.
"It has been incredibly exciting," Flannagan said. "All of my family in Kentucky have been calling me and saying, 'What's going on in South Carolina?'
"I feel very privileged to be in South Carolina and get all this attention. It's been very nice."
Natasha Loiseau, freshman, said events such as the Super Tuesday party and visits from different campaigns have helped her keep in tune with the ever-changing events that surround this year's run for the White House.
"When you're younger, you don't really pay attention to it," Loiseau said. "But when you finally realize that the votes can really impact you, it becomes very interesting."
Corey Scott, freshman, said experiencing these events has been rewarding and a pleasant surprise. He said he appreciates the attention the university has received.
"It's been crazy," Scott said. "Everybody is coming through here, and I'm thinking, 'This is a small school. Who cares about us - we're in Florence?'"
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