When I first arrived at OU in 1982 and unloaded my bags in front of Read Hall, I had very little interest in politics. I did all the normal things that college freshmen do but remained apolitical. Since then I have made my home in Washington, D.C., New York, Seattle and now Los Angeles. And along the way, I found that I gradually became involved in my community and the politics that helped to shape it.
My years in Athens were great ones, as I came to know people from all over Ohio and from all walks of life. I quickly realized that as a state, Ohio is incredibly diverse and very much a representation of the whole country.
In hindsight, it's easy to understand why a lot of young college students have no interest in getting involved in the political process. We have more important things going on. Things that determine our very future. But it doesn't take long to understand that to be part of society and the working world, you are part of a greater community, and that community often asks us to contribute.
So as Ohio gets ready to potentially decide who will be our next Democratic presidential candidate, I want to encourage every single OU registered student to go to the polls on March 4th.
I am supporting Senator Barack Obama because I believe he has the judgment and perspective to bring real progress to the United States. And I would like to encourage you to support him as well, but it's more important to go out and support whomever you feel the most inspired by. Because that is what your future is going to be all about: taking what inspires you each day and turning that into moving your lives forward.
Being a college student in this country is in itself a huge privilege. And you will find out how advantaged you are once you graduate. So take this advantage with you to the polls on March 4th ' it's your first opportunity to show America what you're all about.
'Mark Imgrund is a former student in the School of Telecommunication (1982-1984) and writes from Los Angeles.
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Letter to the Editor
