Hopkins Engaged 2008

Hopkins Engaged is a program designed to be the vehicle of change to the current political landscape here on the Homewood campus. The long-term goal of the program is to promote an atmosphere of political concern, supporting student involvement in movements that transcend the boundaries of academic life. Attaining this goal will result in untold benefits for our students, staff, and faculty.

The program is set for September 27, 2008, a focal event of both Fall Fest and Young Alumni Weekend. It will be held from 1 PM to 7 PM. The aim of Hopkins Engaged is to make political activism approachable and attractive to Hopkins students. To execute this goal the upper quad has been reserved to house a stage for live music and high caliber political speakers, beer and food vendors, and dozens of grassroots political causes from across the nation. Dr. Jim Pelura, Chairman of the Maryland GOP, and Geoffrey Millard of Iraq Veterans Against the War will be speaking at the event. The concert will be focused on political awareness by advocating voter registration, providing the students with the means to register as voters, and involving student political groups such as the College Democrats and Republicans. This includes a free performance by Wale in the afternoon. In the evening, Hopkins will be host to the Verizon Wireless Tour.

Nationwide organizations with goals in political involvement have been invited, thus exposing our students to many perspectives within the political process. In addition to national political causes, powerful community organizations from our own Baltimore City have been invited to represent their causes. With so many ideas in such a relaxed atmosphere, students will have the opportunity to explore their interests at their leisure in a casual environment. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to create one of the largest celebrations of American politics in the nation, leaving a legacy for political involvement in the future. It is our sincere goal to attract local and national media to shed positive light on the evolution of the Hopkins community.