Members of the University College Republicans endured cold temperatures and rain Friday to deliver Ronald Reagan speeches to passing students in honor of the former president’s 93rd birthday.
Several members of the group took turns delivering some of the 40th president’s speeches from his eight years in office, including the “Challenger speech,” the “Berlin Wall speech” and his inauguration speeches.
During the speech that College Republicans Chairman Jarrett White delivered, several members held up pictures of Reagan in the air and cheered at certain parts.
White said the purpose of the readings was to tell students about Reagan’s policies and show the inspiration he gave America.
“We believe that Ronald Reagan is one of our greatest presidents of all time,” White said. “We think his vision for our country was so great that (he) should be somebody that we celebrate, not just on his birthday but every day.”
White said that it is especially important because University faculty members generally do not discuss policies and actions of Reagan.
“I’ve been here for four years and we’ve never had a serious conversation about Reagan,” White said.
He added that while he was formerly a business major for almost two years, he never heard about “Reaganomics” in his classes, nor has he discussed Reagan in his classes as a political science major.
“People at the campus don’t get to hear about Ronald Reagan unless it’s a joke from their professor,” he said.
Senior Tom Breaden agreed that conservative politics are a bit underrepresented on campus.
“I think that it is important to have people protesting on both sides,” Breaden said. “I don’t think it’s trying to rub something in the face of other political parties.”
Freshman Jenny Culbertson has been a member of the College Republicans since the fall, and she was glad the group was celebrating the birth and accomplishments of one of her favorite presidents.
“He was a great president, and we should do something to remember him,” she said.