2008 Woodie Awards
Obama initiatives embody spirit of Gonzaga mission
Mark Ludeking
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Opinion
In light of last week's opinion pieces pleading for new political ideas and the upcoming presidential primaries, I would like to present a few perspectives for you to ponder. Gonzaga's emphasis on involvement in the surrounding community and record of service learning, volunteering and Peace Corps membership align nicely with Presidential candidate Barack Obama's platform.
In Obama's plan for integrating service into learning, he will offer an opportunity for college students to give 100 hours of service per year and in return receive $4,000 each year in the form of an American Opportunity Tax Credit. Isn't this sort of measure exactly what Jesuit universities have been trying to do for decades? The Obama tax credit is especially relevant now as Gonzaga continues to expand and has growing concerns about being able to help students pay for an education here.
High school applicants will always consider how much each university can provide in terms of financial help and as Gonzaga grows Sen. Obama's tax credit can fill the gap.
Gonzaga has an advantage over many institutions in that it already has a very extensive network of opportunities for students to get involved in the community through service. Gonzaga's established network coupled with Obama's tax credit will attract more quality students that our university needs to maintain a level of prestige and do what the world needs most, of course. More students will "be inspired" to accept admission to Gonzaga because of the opportunity to receive affordable quality education.
In talking to many Jesuits over the past four years I have heard many say that they wish learning a foreign language was a requirement for graduation. Obama has an American Voice Initiative that would expand opportunities for fluent speakers to go to other countries and serve. This service will come in public diplomacy and include engineers, doctors and teachers.
I mention this not only because many Gonzaga students are interested in spending time overseas helping other nations by doing what the world needs most, but because the last seven years have been devastating for our relations around the world.
If you desire to go somewhere in the world to help with social justice or maybe provide foreigners a positive view of Americans, then you can be sure that Obama's background of living in Indonesia and having a father from Kenya will aid you in attaining that aspiration.
Obama has called for the doubling of the Peace Corps by 2011, an organization started by deceased President Kennedy. I have said it before and I will say it again: Barack Obama is our generation's John Kennedy. Not only do the huge youth voter turnouts demonstrate that, but students are beginning to notice that apathy will leave us paying into a bankrupt Social Security system, without health care and limited opportunities even with a college education.
Be the change you want in the world and vote for the candidate that will allow you to be that change.
Mark Ludeking is a senior at Gonzaga.
In Obama's plan for integrating service into learning, he will offer an opportunity for college students to give 100 hours of service per year and in return receive $4,000 each year in the form of an American Opportunity Tax Credit. Isn't this sort of measure exactly what Jesuit universities have been trying to do for decades? The Obama tax credit is especially relevant now as Gonzaga continues to expand and has growing concerns about being able to help students pay for an education here.
High school applicants will always consider how much each university can provide in terms of financial help and as Gonzaga grows Sen. Obama's tax credit can fill the gap.
Gonzaga has an advantage over many institutions in that it already has a very extensive network of opportunities for students to get involved in the community through service. Gonzaga's established network coupled with Obama's tax credit will attract more quality students that our university needs to maintain a level of prestige and do what the world needs most, of course. More students will "be inspired" to accept admission to Gonzaga because of the opportunity to receive affordable quality education.
In talking to many Jesuits over the past four years I have heard many say that they wish learning a foreign language was a requirement for graduation. Obama has an American Voice Initiative that would expand opportunities for fluent speakers to go to other countries and serve. This service will come in public diplomacy and include engineers, doctors and teachers.
I mention this not only because many Gonzaga students are interested in spending time overseas helping other nations by doing what the world needs most, but because the last seven years have been devastating for our relations around the world.
If you desire to go somewhere in the world to help with social justice or maybe provide foreigners a positive view of Americans, then you can be sure that Obama's background of living in Indonesia and having a father from Kenya will aid you in attaining that aspiration.
Obama has called for the doubling of the Peace Corps by 2011, an organization started by deceased President Kennedy. I have said it before and I will say it again: Barack Obama is our generation's John Kennedy. Not only do the huge youth voter turnouts demonstrate that, but students are beginning to notice that apathy will leave us paying into a bankrupt Social Security system, without health care and limited opportunities even with a college education.
Be the change you want in the world and vote for the candidate that will allow you to be that change.
Mark Ludeking is a senior at Gonzaga.