Austin Rankin, sophomore political science major at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, has been named a 2022 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow.
Campus Compact is a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education. The organization’s 2022 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows is comprised of 173 students, including Rankin.
“The Newman Civic Fellowship award is about using the strengths of a diverse community to battle political polarization and promote social change,” Rankin said. “This is one thing that I hope to do through events involving the various cultural clubs on the Northwestern campus.
“It is through these activities that I plan to open up a dialogue about political polarization, differing cultural attitudes and the importance of appreciating differing opinions.”
The Waynoka native is heavily involved with the Northwestern Student Government Association and had a resolution passed unanimously through the SGA Senate recently.
He is also the founder and president of the Collegiate 4-H Club on campus.
“Austin Rankin is emblematic of the kind of student the University is proud to put forth for this type of honor,” Dr. Aaron Mason, professor of political science, said. “His commitment in and out of the classroom demonstrates his scholastic abilities as well as his leadership potential. We are confident that his participation as a Newman Civic Fellow Award winner will serve to further express his abilities and talents.”
Rankin said he sees the Newman Civic Fellowship as a great opportunity to open a dialogue between different cultural clubs such as the Black Student Union, the Spanish Club and the Native American Student Association. He added that his primary goal is to start a conversation at Northwestern that enables students from all backgrounds to begin understanding and appreciating the different circumstances that unite each other.
“Simply put, progress dies in silence,” Rankin said. “My primary objective is to create an atmosphere of honest reflection and open-mindedness at Northwestern.”
The Newman Civic Fellowship, named for the late Campus Compact co-founder Frank Newman, is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional and civic growth. Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference in Boston, Massachusetts, of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The fellowship also provides fellows with access to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.
“We are proud to name such an outstanding and diverse group of students Newman Civic Fellows,” Bobbie Laur, Campus Compact president, said. “Their passion and resolve to take action on the wide range of issues challenging our neighborhoods and communities is inspiring and deeply needed. We cannot wait to engage with them through this transformative experience.”
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CONTACT FOR RELEASE
Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist
eedavis@nwosu.edu, (580) 327-8480