The Political Science Club at Iowa State University aims to be a community where all students can engage with politics outside of traditional party values.
Despite the club’s political nature, President Allyson Thompson, a junior majoring in political science, said the club is bipartisan.
“We are here to learn and be open-minded, and if things go in a direction that’s uncomfortable, the executive team would feel comfortable redirecting, but that situation has never arisen,” Thompson said.
“Everyone is focused on bouncing ideas off each other, not arguing,” Olivia Hilvy, a freshman in political science and member of the club, said.
At meetings, the club hosts guest speakers, holds debates, members present and discuss current events and even compete to craft the most convincing conspiracy theory.
“We’ve been bringing in alumni to talk about their career fields,” Thompson said. “For instance, Paxton Williams, who tied in community involvement outside of his work as an attorney, showing that there’s still time to be had in law.”
Looking forward, Thompson hopes to see the political science club have a greater impact on campus.
“I’d like to make moves to get the club involved in volunteering and collaborate with other clubs like Pre-Law or Philosophy Club,” Thompson said.
The Political Science Club meets every Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. in Ross Hall, room 510, in the Political Science Library. The meeting space features a foosball table, a row of desktop computers, a debate podium, a TV and complimentary snacks.
At the Oct. 29 meeting, the Political Science Club hosted attorney Jeff Courter. Courter spoke about his journey to becoming an attorney.
“You don’t have to have a straight path because it can wind all over hell before you find where you’re supposed to be,” Courter said.
Courter graduated in 1984 with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Iowa State University. He went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.
Now, he works as a creditor rights and bankruptcy attorney at Nyemaster Goode, P.C.
Courter spoke with the Political Science Club about his “winding an accidental path to becoming a private practice attorney.”
At 18 years old, he worked in the Republican Governors Association in Detroit.
“I remember all the excitement thinking this is what I want to do with a law degree,” Courter said.
In law school, he clerked for the Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, followed by a clerkship for a bankruptcy judge, which led to his work in private practice.
“Go to the best school you can get into that’s reasonably priced,” Courter said. “Iowa Law has a great reputation nationally, but if you want to stay in Iowa, Drake Law is a great law degree to have.”
Courter left the group with final words of wisdom.
“Life is about working together,” Courter said. “People just need to be able to talk, even if they disagree on 100% of the issues, at least be able to have a respectful discussion.”
In addition to Wednesday meetings, the club meets Tuesdays at 8 a.m. in varying coffee shops around Ames. For more information about the Political Science Club, visit the club’s webpage.