Miami students’ delegate experience ‘incredible, impactful’
Patrick Houlihan and Kate Louagie represented Ohio’s 8th congressional district at DNC
•
Published
•
Miami University students Patrick Houlihan and Kate Louagie represented Ohio’s 8th congressional district at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Miami students’ delegate experience ‘incredible, impactful’
•
Published
•
“Surreal” may be the best word for it.
From being passed in the hallway by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren to watching, in person, Kamala Harris accept the Democratic presidential nomination, Miami University students Patrick Houlihan and Kate Louagie had a unique perspective of this year’s Democratic National Convention.
Houlihan and Louagie attended the August event in Chicago as delegates. Selected in January, the pair were part of five representatives from Ohio’s 8th congressional district whose role was to confirm the state’s selection of a candidate.
“As someone who is a political nerd, I was like a kid in a candy store,” said Houlihan, a senior from Monroe Falls majoring in Political Science with a minor in Community-Based Leadership who also serves as president of the Miami University College Democrats and the College Democrats of Ohio. “This is the first convention I could go to, and I just wanted to be involved.”
Louagie, too, was excited for the opportunity. The sophomore from West Chester had friends and family in attendance in January when she was elected as a delegate, an announcement that brought much cheering, smiles, and hugs.
“I couldn't believe that a room full of over a hundred strangers had thought I, a 19-year-old girl with social anxiety and a passion for helping others, was so deserving of the opportunity to attend one of the most significant political events of the presidential election cycle,” said Louagie, a member of Miami’s Honors College who majors in International Studies, Philosophy, and Political Science with a minor in Spanish.
Louagie said it was difficult to put into words how incredible and impactful that opportunity was, describing the energy and joy of each of the four nights of the convention.
“Every night was speech after speech of joy, excitement, and passion for making our world better,” Louagie said.
A contingent of Miami students attended the DNC in Chicago, as well as July’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, through a partnership between Miami’s Menard Family Center for Democracy and Office of ASPIRE.
Louagie and Houlihan met with those students to talk about the role and process for a delegate.
“It was nice to see some familiar faces,” Houlihan said. “The Menard Family Center for Democracy and the Office of ASPIRE were incredibly nice to us, and we were able to share information. They are phenomenal organizations.”
John Forren, executive director of the Menard Center, praised the pair for their willingness to help educate other Miami students about the process.
“They were terrific in talking with their peers about their experience, which was eye- opening,” Forren said. “It is a very interesting learning experience.”
One both Houlihan and Louagie were grateful to have.
“I think my biggest takeaway from the convention is that there is just so much possibility and hope for our political system,” Louagie said. “We seem to be ushering in a new era where the voices of young people are amplified, not diminished.”
Added Houlihan: “There were some really great moments. It was really interesting to see the people you see on the television screen all the time in real life.”
From being passed in the hallway by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren to watching, in person, Kamala Harris accept the Democratic presidential nomination, Miami University students Patrick Houlihan and Kate Louagie had a unique perspective of this year’s Democratic National Convention.
Houlihan and Louagie attended the August event in Chicago as delegates. Selected in January, the pair were part of five representatives from Ohio’s 8th congressional district whose role was to confirm the state’s selection of a candidate.
“As someone who is a political nerd, I was like a kid in a candy store,” said Houlihan, a senior from Monroe Falls majoring in Political Science with a minor in Community-Based Leadership who also serves as president of the Miami University College Democrats and the College Democrats of Ohio. “This is the first convention I could go to, and I just wanted to be involved.”
Louagie, too, was excited for the opportunity. The sophomore from West Chester had friends and family in attendance in January when she was elected as a delegate, an announcement that brought much cheering, smiles, and hugs.
“I couldn't believe that a room full of over a hundred strangers had thought I, a 19-year-old girl with social anxiety and a passion for helping others, was so deserving of the opportunity to attend one of the most significant political events of the presidential election cycle,” said Louagie, a member of Miami’s Honors College who majors in International Studies, Philosophy, and Political Science with a minor in Spanish.
Louagie said it was difficult to put into words how incredible and impactful that opportunity was, describing the energy and joy of each of the four nights of the convention.
“Every night was speech after speech of joy, excitement, and passion for making our world better,” Louagie said.
A contingent of Miami students attended the DNC in Chicago, as well as July’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, through a partnership between Miami’s Menard Family Center for Democracy and Office of ASPIRE.
Louagie and Houlihan met with those students to talk about the role and process for a delegate.
“It was nice to see some familiar faces,” Houlihan said. “The Menard Family Center for Democracy and the Office of ASPIRE were incredibly nice to us, and we were able to share information. They are phenomenal organizations.”
John Forren, executive director of the Menard Center, praised the pair for their willingness to help educate other Miami students about the process.
“They were terrific in talking with their peers about their experience, which was eye- opening,” Forren said. “It is a very interesting learning experience.”
One both Houlihan and Louagie were grateful to have.
“I think my biggest takeaway from the convention is that there is just so much possibility and hope for our political system,” Louagie said. “We seem to be ushering in a new era where the voices of young people are amplified, not diminished.”
Added Houlihan: “There were some really great moments. It was really interesting to see the people you see on the television screen all the time in real life.”
