Shane Roers and Kevin Poppel on the
steps
of the Minnesota
State Capitol
- Posted 02/22/2001
Contact: Andrew Svec, 218-281-8435
Students Take Leadership Roles
in U of M
Lobby Day
Two University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) students played large roles in the success of the University of Minnesota Student Legislative Coalition (SLC) Lobby Day, held Tuesday, February 20, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. Over 600 U of M students from all four campuses of the University—Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and the Twin Cities—attended the event. The students went to the Capitol to voice their concerns about Governor Ventura’s proposed budget allocation to the University of Minnesota and to encourage their legislators to increase the level of funding for the University. See photos of the trip.
Shane Roers of Fargo, ND, and Kevin Poppel of Breckenridge, MN, coordinated efforts at UMC. Their efforts resulted in bringing nearly 150 UMC students to the Capitol for the day. It was the largest group ever from UMC to attend the annual U of M Lobby Day event.
While at the Capitol, U of M students held a rally that included speeches by U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, Minnesota House Speaker Representative Steve Sviggum, and Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe. Poppel also addressed the group, saying “the best form of financial aid is low tuition.”
Roers is President of the Crookston Student Association, and is a senior double majoring in business management and marketing. He is the son of Jim and Debby Roers of Fargo.
Poppel is UMC’s Representative to the SLC. He is a sophomore double majoring in agronomy and agricultural systems management--farm management. His parents are Mike and Carol Poppel of Breckenridge.
Both Roers and Poppel also addressed a group of students, faculty, staff and community members at a follow-up rally held on Thursday, February 22, at UMC.