National Park College (NPC) Student Government Association and Garland County Farm
Bureau (GCFB) hosted a State and Local Candidate Forum Friday. Jeff Weaver, vice president
for external affairs at NPC moderated the event.
SGA President-elect, Tyler Draper welcomed the crowd. “Our goal as a student government
is to actually serve, empower and engage in the community,” he said. He used clapping
from the crowd to demonstrate the power of the phrase “E Pluribus Unum,” which means
"out of many, one," The phrase was adopted in 1782 as part of the Great Seal of the
United States. “When ordinary people work together instead of being divided, we can
do extraordinary things,” said, Draper.
GCFB Vice President and legislative chairman, Ralph Pinkerton expressed his appreciation
for the partnership with NPC. He said, “We are proud to be a partner with National
Park College.” He added, “I also want to thank the college for providing an excellent
setting for this event.”More than 40 candidates and 250 guests attended the open community forum which was
held in the Martin Eisele Auditorium of the Frederick M. Dierks Center at National
Park College. The event began with a meet and greet for all candidates at 6 p.m. followed
a question and answer session for candidates for Garland County District Judge and
speeches from candidates for United States Congress District 4. The Garland County
Farm Bureau Women’s Committee provided refreshments.
The College will partner with the Garland County Farm Bureau in the fall to host a
follow-up debate preceding the November general election. A debate panel will be formed
that consists of students, faculty and community members. SGA students will survey
the campus and community to gather feedback and develop questions for candidates.
Pictured are Tamra Barrett and Joe Graham, candidates for Garland County District
Judge.
