Drake has demonstrated ability to engage student body at UNM

Editor,

As an anthropology undergraduate student concentrating in human evolutionary ecology at UNM, I feel fortunate to attend an institution where the faculty and administration do not write off the contributions of undergraduates or the possibility of undergraduate research. I feel fortunate to attend a university where I can collaborate with my professor, graduate students and museum/collection curators to conduct research and further my studies.

I have found it to be very beneficial to take classes in the Anthropology Department that are combined undergraduate and graduate courses, where dialogue between the different degree students is the norm and not the exception. It was in one of these combined courses last semester that I met B. Lee Drake, a current candidate for GPSA president. He struck me as an extremely intelligent, friendly student who took the time to promote discussion between all students, regardless of degree sought. Also, I was impressed by his ability to engage and reach out to students in the 2008 presidential election with his work with College Democrats of America.

Drake recently came under attack for his desire to bring together undergraduate and graduate students in student government and to engage them in issues that affect the University as a whole, not just the student body. Drake should be commended for this desire of collaboration, particularly in a time where collaboration is what is so desperately needed on the college level and beyond.

I am an AmeriCorps alumnus, and I have completed more than 3,400 hours of national community service. Part of national service is civic engagement, something that I have seen done well and otherwise. I have no doubt that Drake has the capability to engage the entirety of the student body of the University, and he has previously demonstrated his ability to do so. For this reason, and many others, I recommend that graduate students place their trust in Drake and vote for him for GPSA president.

Luke Fields

UNM student