Blackburn Institute

Student Fellows Impact Presidential Campaign

November 16, 2008

While Blackburn Institute fellow and advisory board member Corey Ealons (1997-1998 fellow) may have had the most active role in the recent presidential election after his appointment as Director of African-American Media with the Obama for President Campaign, two student fellows also served on the front lines of the campaign. Though they are close friends, student fellows Robert Harris III (2007-2008 fellow) and Ben Foster (2006-2007 fellow) took an active part in the recent presidential race from opposing sides of the political spectrum. Robert, a senior from Alexander City, Alabama, majoring in Political Science and History, took a brief absence from the University to take advantage of the opportunity to join the Obama/Biden Campaign as a Field Organizer. Robert signed his name to an official endorsement for Obama immediately preceding the South Carolina primary and then accepted the position of Political Director for the state’s Students for Barack Obama organization. He joined the campaign as a full-time staffer over the summer when he accepted the position of Field Organizer - first heading up the counties of Douglas, Carroll, and Paulding in metro-west Atlanta, Georgia and then in Wayne Co. North Carolina, centered in the City of Goldsboro. About his experiences, Robert stated, “As a campaign staffer, specifically as one who headed up a local field office, coming into contact with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives was common place. The Blackburn Institute uniquely prepared me for that role. A major tenant of the institute is to challenge each of its fellows to be in constant pursuit of information and understanding how to better serve our communities. Whether in Alabama or across this great nation, Blackburn fellows carry a unique perspective only provided by its membership. Our focus and dedication to the issues which have no voice is the hallmark of the Blackburn Institute. There was never I day I did not rely on some experience I gained from being a fellow in the Blackburn Institute.” While Robert campaigned on the democratic side of the campaign, Ben established himself as a leader within the state’s Republican Party. Ben, a senior from Coaling, Alabama, majoring in Telecommunications & Film and Political Science, served the McCain/Palin ticket in three capacities. He was a member of the Alabama Steering Committee for the campaign, Chairman of The University of Alabama Students for McCain, and was elected to serve as an Alabama Delegate to the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota in September of 2008. Concerning his role within the presidential campaign and the Blackburn Institute, Ben stated, “I have long felt a calling in my life to make the state of Alabama better, and this calling relates to the learning and leadership development I have experienced within the Blackburn Institute. For me, this calling means I have to work to get the right leaders elected, whether it be at the state or national level. The Blackburn Institute has taught me that in order to be a change-agent, I have to work to bring better leadership to Alabama.” Both Robert and Ben remained in constant communication during the election season and even spoke consistently on the evening of the election. Robert and Ben’s friendship, despite completely opposing political views, is an excellent example of the type of leadership network the Blackburn Institute seeks to build.

Left to Right: Student Fellows Ben Foster (06-07), Tyler Flores (05-06), and Robert Harris (07-08)

Student Fellow and Blackburn Institute Community Education Leader Ben Foster (06-07) address fellows at the 2008 Frank A. Nix Lecture.