The 28th annual Bowen Institute on Political Participation, sponsored in part by Ball State University's political science department, will be this weekend in Indianapolis.
Gary Crawley, assistant professor of political science, was the director of the program for 10 years and is one of the speakers this year. He said the event is held to "stimulate people to become involved in politics," especially those who don't regularly participate in community politics.
The two-day event will include guest speakers, workshops and other exercises to explore issues related to politics and give citizens the tools they need to become active in their communities. This year, former Indiana governor Otis Bowen will be one of the many speakers at the event.
"We try to cover as many aspects of politics as possible," Crawley said.
He said in order to attract a large, diverse audience, the directors send letters advertising the event to various civic groups across the state.
The theme of the weekend, Crawley said, is that politics can be fun and interesting. He said the group wants to encourage involvement on all levels, from voting in elections to campaigning and even runningfor office.
"We try to demonstrate that all they need to do is kind of take that first step," he said.
Speakers at the event include:
- Steve Bell, Professor Emeritus from the telecommunications department at Ball State
- Ed Feigenbaum, director of INGroup from Noblesville
- Ronald and Anita Fields, Indiana State N.A.A.C.P. political action chair
- State Senator Tim Lanane and wife, Cindy
- Billy Linville, vice president of public affairs for AT&T
- Joseph Losco, chair and professor of political science at Ball State
- Tad Perry, executive director of the South Dakota Board of Regents
- Bart Peterson, former mayor of Indianapolis and distinguished fellow of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs
- Jan Powell, Baker & Donelson Law Office, Washington D.C.
- Todd Rokita, Secretary of State of Indiana
- Raymond Scheele, co-director of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs
- Jim Shella, reporter for WISH-TV
- Dr. Sally Jo Vasicko, co-director of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs
- Kathy and Randy Vernon
- Anneliese Williams, Barnes & Thornburg, LLP
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