Students have 'Great conversations' with Doug forrester

"I happen to think that voting is very important," said former Republican gubernatorial candidate and current adjunct professor at TCNJ Doug Forrester, as he addressed an attentive audience in Forcina Hall on February 5.  “The reason why voting is important is because democracy is important.”

Forrester took the time out of his busy schedule to speak on the importance of voting and the democratic process with students in the Career and Community Studies (CCS) program, a groundbreaking educational experience tailored to students with special needs.

The students are participants in “Great Conversations,” an interdisciplinary class that takes students from different areas of study, and provides them the opportunity to discuss a number of different subjects with professors and peers, from politics to poetry and music.  Currently, class instructors are providing students with the “informational tools to vote,” said program coordinator Rebecca Daley.  Forrester’s visit is a part of that mission, which instructors hope will facilitate students’ participation in the democratic process.

Forrester commended the students for their participation in the CCS program, adding that one of the reasons why he thinks TCNJ is so “great” is because of its dedication to providing “for individuals who have challenges that others don’t.”

While Forrester’s main message involved the significance of the voting process, the conversation occasionally strayed from the original topic (as most “great conversations” do), as Forrester graciously answered questions about his political and personal background, as well as a few hard-hitting questions about the negativity sometimes involved in politics and his stance on disability and special education issues.  But the audience embraced the message of the importance of participating in a democratic society.

"We have a privilege to vote," said CCS student John Russo. 

Forrester echoed Russo’s sentiments. “We all have something to offer, and each individual has a right to contribute.”

“It’s difficult for us to appreciate the weight of one snowflake, and yet, we know very well that roofs cave in from snow accumulation,” said Forrester.  “Democracy and voting are very much like that.”