With many thanks to State Senator Jack Hatch, Drake students in two Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) courses recently visited the Iowa Capitol for a special meeting with state government officials. After learning of the water bottle ban on Drake’s campus, which was initiated by the LEAD 190 class, Hatch organized the trip to thank the Drake students for developing an initiative that generated positive change.
During the visit, students in the LEAD 100 and LEAD 190 courses had the opportunity to meet with State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad, State Senator Janet Peterson, State Senator Robert Hogg, State Representative Marti Anderson, and State Senator Jack Hatch. Each State government official relayed that their involvement in state government began through a passion for social change and expressed thanks and congratulated the students on a job well done.
“To our surprise, the members of senate were very well versed in our initiative and congratulated us on our efforts,” says Alexandria Quinn, a student in the LEAD 190 course. “This was a very rewarding experience because our goal was to impact the Drake community, but here we were able to see our passion spread throughout the Des Moines community.”
The current LEAD 100 students will move into the LEAD 190 capstone course next fall, where they will be responsible for developing a new initiative that promotes social responsibility. The State government officials challenged the LEAD 100 class to aim high when developing their initiative. Tom Westbrook, professor of education and chair of LEAD, says the students left the meeting with enthusiasm and excitement for the fall capstone course.
For more information, contact Tom Westbrook at 515-271-3078 or thomas.westbrook@drake.edu.