“The Bliss Institute of Applied Politics wants to help students make more informed decisions this election year. In order to start it off right, the institute will be serving up seven political lectures every Thursday until April 24. According to Gail Garbrandt, manager of internships at the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics and director of the lecture series, the speakers are part of a one-credit class, Political Science Insight.”
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The Bliss Institute of Applied Politics wants to help students make more informed decisions this election year. In order to start it off right, the institute will be serving up seven political lectures every Thursday until April 24.

According to Gail Garbrandt, manager of internships at the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics and director of the lecture series, the speakers are part of a one-credit class, Political Science Insight.

Garbrandt said the series even won an award.

The League of Women Voters just recently gave the institute an award for the PSI Series because it helped to promote democracy, Garbrandt said in a e-mail.

Through this series the institute is hoping to help student become more politically aware.

We are hopeful that students will gain information from the speakers that will help them make more informed voting choices, Garbrandt said.

The speakers were chosen with a bi-partisan mix in mind according to Garbrandt. Speakers include Whit Aynes, president of Aynes McHenty & Associates, and Tom Edmonds, former president of the American Association of Political Consultants and veteran Capital Hill strategist. Both highly recommended by Garbrandt for their professional campaign experience.

The lecture series has been going since 2002, and according to Garbrandt, the response she said has been fabulous.

We get lots of participation and feedback which is much appreciated, she said.

The Bliss Institute is one of seven campaign schools across the U.S.

Our mission as a bi-partisan teaching and research institute is to teach students the nuts and bolts of practical politics.

Jeff Tomkowitz, a sophomore political science student, is currently enrolled in the PSI series.

It’s a great way to get involved, he said. They are easy to do and interesting.

Tomkowitz said the speakers don’t exactly help students make a better decision in the polls, however they are more of people talking about their experience to help get students interested in the election.

Tomkowitz said one thing students should know about the series is that they’re very worthwhile.

Its always up to date, very simple and no homework.

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