Students Plan Four-Session Civics Presentation
March 15, 2022
Political science students at Walters State Community College are offering the public
a unique opportunity to see how the government works from the inside – through the
eyes of government officials.
“Community Engagement for Civics Education” is the focus of an honors special projects
in political science course taught by Steve Lawrence, an adjunct professor at the
college. Students have spent time meeting and working with local officials and each
will make a presentation on their respective areas of study.
Four sessions are planned:
• March 22: Judicial System, with Magistrate Judge Cynthia Wyrick and student Hailey
Barrett.
• April 5: U.S. Congress, with Zac Rutherford, chief of staff for Representative Diana
Harshbarger and student Anthony Lee.
• April 12: Elections, with Jeff Gardner, administrator of elections for Hamblen County,
and student Ryan Sandlon.
• April 19: Local Government, with Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain and student
Emma Gerding.
Meetings begin at 6 p.m. with refreshments. Presentations follow at 6:30 p.m. All
presentations will be held in room 124 of the Doggett Mathematics and Behavioral/Social
Sciences (MBSS) Building on the Morristown Campus.
Lawrence said previous students have always wanted to share what they were learning
with the community.
“(Retired Magistrate) Judge Dennis Inman is a frequent speaker in my classes,” said
Lawrence. He and my students have often discussed the need to bring the civics lessons
shared in classes to a broader audience. These presentations will equip the community
with more knowledge about our government and those attending will leave more likely
to participate in the democratic process.”
Each student has worked with a volunteer mentor who is currently working in government.
While the end goal is the presentation, Lawrence has found that students are learning
much more than just the basic information.
“Our mentors have been very active in this process. Many have met with students for
several hours. Students have even gained career insight through this process,” Lawrence
said.
Lawrence received a Walters State Faculty Fellows scholarship for the class. Faculty
Fellows support efforts to improve teaching and learning with the goal of increasing
educational attainment and workforce preparedness of the students.
Those attending the session will receive a free civics notebook.
RSVPs are not required, but are requested and can be made at https://ws.edu/forms/Respond/Index/community-civics-education-series. For more information, contact Lawrence at Steven.Lawrence@ws.edu.