Juniata College’s Sigma Epsilon Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, along with the Politics Department, and the All In Coalition, will host an Election Candidate Forum at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in Neff Lecture Hall, von Liebig Center for Science. The forum will be followed by a Meet-and-Greet at 6:45 p.m. in Sill Board Room, von Liebig Center for Science.
“I’m really excited to be able to host this event at Juniata to not only bring the college and the community together but also to encourage the students to be more politically active and demonstrate to them that their local candidates value their opinions and their vote,” said Amy Rosica ’23, who is organizing this event along with fellow Pi Sigma Alpha member Kayla Stumpf ’23.
All Democratic and Republican candidates have been invited to attend or send a surrogate. Incumbent State Rep. Rich Irvin (R) of the 81st Legislative District and his opponent, Democratic candidate Ian Kidd, have confirmed their attendance, as has Carol Taylor, Democratic candidate for the 30th District of the Pennsylvania Senate. Taylor’s opponent, State Sen. Judy Ward (R), has declined the invitation to participate due to a scheduling conflict. Josh Shapiro (D) and Austin Davis (D), candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, have also declined to participate. Invitations have been extended to U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R), who is running unopposed, and to Doug Mastriano (R) and Carrie DelRosso (R), who are running for governor and lieutenant governor, and to U.S. senatorial candidates John Fetterman (D) and Mehmet Oz (R).
Kevan M. Yenerall, professor of political science at Pennsylvania Western University, will serve as emcee for the forum. Yenerall teaches courses in American politics, popular culture, Pennsylvania politics, and public policy.
This event was made possible through a Civic Engagement Chapter Activity Grant from Pi Sigma Alpha. Grant monies are to be used for activities focused on increasing student voter registration, student voting, and/or student participation in broader civic engagement activities on campus and the community. Pi Sigma Alpha member Kayla Blackstock ’24 assisted in writing the grant application for Juniata College.
The Sigma Epsilon Chapter has hosted guest speakers, participated in events, and encouraged voter registration on campus throughout the fall and will host a volunteer table on Election Day to encourage students to vote, answer questions, and pass out snacks, buttons, and stickers.
Since 2020, Juniata has participated actively in the All In Campus Democracy Challenge, a program that encourages students to engage actively in civic learning. The College has attained Gold Campus status for the past two elections, reflecting excellence in student voter engagement.
This event is free, and the public is encouraged to attend.
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