Cornellians elected to office on historic day
MOUNT VERNON – A historic day for the nation was also a day for celebration for three victorious Cornellians who were elected or re-elected to office.
Professor Emeritus and honorary alumni David Loebsack won his second term as Democratic congressman out of Iowa’s 2nd district, which includes Mount Vernon and Cornell. With about 70 percent of precincts reporting, Loebsack was safely ahead of Mariannette Miller-Meeks, 59 percent to 38 percent.
For more visit:
The Iowa City Press Citizen
The Cedar Rapids Gazette
Elsewhere, Christopher Carney ’81 was re-elected in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District. Carney was an associate professor of political science at Penn State Worthington-Scranton, where he taught since 1992. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their five children in Dimock Township, Susquehanna County, in Pennsylvania.
For more visit Carney for Congress.
Another alum, Deborah Mell ’90 was elected as an Illinois state representative from the 40th district. She lives in Chicago.
Finally, Nancy Kleihauer Adams ’64 was voted mayor of Pequot Lakes, Minn., and will take office on Jan. 1.
Barack Obama’s historic ascention to the presidency was spurred on by his early victory in the Iowa caucuses, which included a visit to Cornell College almost exactly 11 months ago. Then, in a speech that recalled John F. Kennedy and the creation of the Peace Corps, Obama called students to national service in a speech at the Small Multi-Sport Center in front of over 1,000 students and community members, one of the largest events Cornell College has held.
Meanwhile, back on campus, Cornellians turned out in droves to vote, spurred on by a Get Out the Vote campaign sponsored by Project Vote ’08 and The Civic Engagement Office. Vans carried students to and from polling places all day. Reports from voters noted a visibly excited student population, many registering for the first time.
Even Cornellians not able to be on campus got into the act. A theatre class in New York City with Scott Olinger fournd themselves celebrating election night in Times Square. “The students were very excited to be part of the energy,” said Olinger.
