Journalist: Heidi Hampton (TU)
Andrew Heaton, a former member and governor of Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, was the keynote speaker for the opening joint session of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature 2nd session of the 57th Legislature. Heaton is a native Oklahoman, an author and the host of a political comedy podcast called “The Political Orphanage.” Heaton is passionate about college youth engaging with politics in part due to his time with OIL. Heaton set the tone for the opening of the joint session with his moving speech. During his speech, Heaton imparted stories of his time in various Oklahoma towns. He discussed going to college in Norman at the University of Oklahoma. He also spoke about his family from Alva, OK, the site of Northwestern Oklahoma State University as well as his experience growing up in Enid, OK. These stories he told emphasized his cultural ties to the state of Oklahoma and helped members understand his deep understanding of the state. Heaton emphasized what he determined to be a strange charm of Oklahoma, stating, “Oklahoma is weird, but people do not acknowledge that it is weird.” He thinks there is a cultivated eccentricity to Oklahoma that the population should embrace. He also believes Oklahoma is optimistic and says it is a foundation of the identity of Oklahoma. Heaton highlighted important parts of Oklahoma history including the last public lynching in the state, the Tulsa Race Massacre and the Oklahoma City bombing. He claimed we need to embrace our history as a state and acknowledge how it has led us to the current day political and social culture. Heaton imparted a message he believed to be crucial to the members of OIL, saying we are the future. Not only are the delegates the future of OIL, but they will become the leaders of the state and the country. His speech was one encouraging hope and action within the body of OIL.