By Rachel Crenshaw, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — The Social Workers in Touch Can Help (SWITCH) Club, an organization from the Campbellsville University Carver School of Social Work and Counseling, along with members of the Taylor County Clerk’s office, recruited 79 new voters for the upcoming elections during Campbellsville University’s student registration Aug. 18-19.
The registration booth was set up just outside of the Davenport Student Commons where all students and citizens of Taylor County were welcome to register.
The SWITCH Club, who perceived CU’s registration as an opportune time to form a service project, felt setting up the voting registration booth was an act of their civic duty as social workers.
Social work students who wanted to create a social organization that would help students be more successful in the field of social work formed the SWITCH Club. The organization helps to prepare students by introducing them to social work professionals and by providing opportunities for community service.
Rhonda Taylor, a representative from the Taylor County Clerk’s Office, helped at the registration booth both days. “I feel registering for elections is extremely important especially with the upcoming historical elections. When the students register to vote they are exercising their rights as citizens. Voting permits them to state their opinions and voice their complaints. Now is the opportune time for students to begin making voting a habit while they are young.”
Misty Willis, secretary for the Carver School of Social Work and Counseling, said the 79 voters were registered for Taylor County. Willis said this can be extremely beneficial to the students especially those who live out of state. They now are given the opportunity to vote in Taylor County instead of having the inconvenience of making a trip home to vote. In addition, Willis said not only did students register but some members of Taylor County’s community as well.
“I was very proud to see a voting registration booth on our school’s campus. It displays we take pride in our rights as U.S. citizens. In addition, having the registration booth on campus made it very simple to register compared to actually going to the county clerk’s office,” said Lauren Toadvine of Hustonville, a junior at the Carver School of Social Work and Counseling.
Willis said the Carver School of Social Work and Counseling hopes the voting registration will become an annual event for both fall and spring semesters.
For information regarding the Carver School of Social Work and Counseling contact Dr. Darlene Eastridge, dean of the Carver of Social Work at (270) 789-5178.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 36 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2009 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.