By Journalist Olivia Kopang (OSU)
College students from all corners of Oklahoma have gathered together in the capitol in Oklahoma City for the 55th session of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature. Over 200 bills are going to be heard over the course of four days, and students will have the opportunity to speak on issues meaningful to them. Guest speaker Vice-Chief Justice Dustin P. Rowe was welcomed before delegates were released into their committees. He had wise words to offer the group of eager college students, asking the question, “How can you make the state of Oklahoma better?”
For him, the answer was simple. Justice Rowe relayed a single message throughout his speech: whatever you do, be great. From the highest positions in government to the hourly jobs people work, Rowe expressed his admiration for the dedicated work ethic it takes to be great at anything, encouraging the audience to let that principle pour over when working within government.
Many delegates admired the Vice-Chief Justices’ words including ALU Lieutenant Governor Alaura Gilmore. She appreciated his advice on smelling the roses expressing that “most of us in this organization are very type A people and we want to get things done and we want to get them done fast and right. Sometimes that’s not always good. Sometimes you gotta stop, smell the roses and just enjoy.”
Although OIL has given students the opportunity to practice governmental processes for decades, there are many new opportunities this year. The Governor’s Gala happens once every few years, and this year OIL representatives have the chance to attend and mingle with state representatives and lawmakers. Gilmore is eager to attend the event and talked through how she “pushed really hard for it to make a comeback and it happened and I’m so excited.”
Throughout this week representatives are excited to learn more about the Oklahoma government regardless if this is their first session or if they are a senior member of OIL.