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The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers. - Thich Nhat Hanh
April 17 , 2008 Wilson College Chambersburg, Pennsylvania Vol. XXXX, No.4
Chelsea Clinton Sweeps through Wilson College by Kimberly Maske-Mertz
On Tues, Apr. 15, former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton took center stage on Wilson’s main green. As part of her 3-day “Your Future. It’s Bright!” bus tour through Pennsylvania, Clinton addressed an eager and attentive crowd of Wilson students, faculty, alumni, and members of the Chambersburg community. The event, sponsored by Wilson College, the campus Political Science Association, and the Franklin County chapter of Hillraisers, a grassroots organization currently campaigning for Senator Hillary Clinton, marked an historic moment in Wilson College history. Introduced by Wilson students Alyssa Yeip and Nicole Welsh, and an entourage of Hillary supporters—including celebrities Erika Alexander of “The Cosby Show” and “Living Single,” as well as Sean Austin of Rudy and Lord of the Rings fame—Chelsea took the stage amid gracious applause. “The Chelsea Clinton event has brought a great amount of positive attention and press coverage to Wilson,” said Dr. Jill Hummer, professor of Political Science. “By Ms. Clinton choosing Wilson, she was essentially conveying that there is something unique and special about this place, worthy of her very limited time.” Clinton addressed the crowd on behalf of her mother in an attempt to garner support for the upcoming Pennsylvania Democratic Primary on Apr. 22. In her conversation with the public, she tackled issues ranging from the economy to universal healthcare, with special emphasis on problems with the current state of tuition assistance in the U.S. “I strongly believe my mom is the most progressive, the most prepared, and the strongest candidate,” Clinton said. “I believe that not only as a proud daughter, but as a young voter and a young woman.” As part of Sen. Clinton’s plan to make college more affordable, she wants to increase the Federal Pell Grant maximum from $5,400 to $10,800 and expand eligibility to a broader number of students. She also hopes to double the educational tax credit to $3,500 per year, extend benefits to students wishing to attend graduate school, and replace the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with a checkbox on the federal tax form.
“What’s really interesting about what my mom is proposing is to have the federal government get back into the business of directing student lending, both for college and graduate school,” Clinton said, stressing that this would diminish predatory student lending. When discussing the U.S. economy, Clinton stated, “It really matters to me as a voter that my mom is the only candidate who tells me dollar-for-dollar how she’ll pay for everything. It matters to me because it tells me that she’s thought through the details of what she needs to do to really achieve what she’s talking about.” Wilson student Chris Ecker believed that Clinton’s visit was a perfect fit for the school. “Not only was it a savvy political move on the part of her mother’s campaign,” Ecker said. “But it was also an interesting experience for Wilson students interested in government. While I can’t say that anything Chelsea said in particular swayed my vote, Chelsea Clinton addresses Wilson students, faculty, alumnae, the simple fact that her mother’s campaign and members of the Chambersburg community on April 15. spent the time and money to visit Wilson Photo by Jessica Bernard College impressed me.” Dr. Michael Cornelius, one of many Wilson faculty members in the crowd, was pleased with Clinton’s level of composure. “She proved to be an articulate, bright young woman—a great role model for Wilson students regardless of political persuasion— who presented a form of political discussion not seen on cable television or presented in debates with two-minute responses.” Clinton also willingly took questions from the audience during the event. When asked about U.S. dependence on foreign oil, she WWC student Deneisha Cauthen and son Jordan pose for replied, “My mother believes we need a difphoto with Erika Alexander. Photo by Jessica Bernard ferent energy reality and a different energy future.” Part of Sen. Clinton’s plan includes abol- and I are the same age, and I grew up feeling symishing tax breaks and instituting a windfall profits pathy for her upbringing as the daughter of two emtax for oil companies, which in turn would finance battled politicians…and twelve-year-old Chris had new energy initiatives including windmill and so- a pretty big crush on twelve-year old Chelsea back in 1992.” lar energy. Near the end of Clinton’s discussion, Jordan, “So rarely in my time at Wilson has such an opportunity been afforded to us,” said Dr. Cornelius. the son of Women With Children student Deneisha “Chelsea Clinton is not only a national figure, but Cauthen, expressed his admiration by saying, “I believe in you.” part of our political and cultural zeitgeist.” Clinton smiled sweetly and thanked him. “I just Many students attended to simply get a glimpse of the former First Daughter. “To be honest, I at- have a very, very, very good role model,” she said. tended just to see Chelsea,” Ecker confessed. “She “So I hope you’ll believe in my mom, too.”