Journalist: Dylan Davis (OSU)
On Friday Afternoon, Rep. Thomas Duncan (OU) spent a few minutes taking questions in an unscheduled interview. In this interview, he spoke about what OIL means to him, his experiences in Moot Court and gave encouraging words to those who might be considering OIL.
Duncan, a former Bartlesville, Oklahoma, resident and current undergraduate student at the University of Oklahoma, said he had always felt destined for OIL because of his past experiences in advocacy and government.
“I ran my high school Young Democrats club, and I wanted to do something in college
when I had the opportunity, something like… doing a simulated legislative session.”
Duncan is also competing in the OIL Moot Court competition this year. It’s his first time,
and he says that while the competition is “stressful beyond belief,” he also says that “the highs
and lows of it” create “an amazing experience.” He also says that the unique nature of Moot
Court is one of his favorite parts of the competition.
“Typically, as an undergraduate, you have opportunities for trial court, but when it comes
to an undergraduate, you almost never have the opportunity to do Moot Court. It’s typically
reserved until you go to law school. OIL is one of the few opportunities for undergraduates to
actually do a Moot Court experience.”
Along with Moot, Duncan serves as a representative for the OIL House of
Representatives. This year, Duncan presented a bill titled the “SERVE Act,” which would allow
Oklahoma residents who volunteer for a certain amount of time to earn tuition waivers at in-state
universities. He said he had an especially fun time presenting his legislation this year.
“It was an amazing time. I think I won most people over because of the funding
mechanism. That’s what a lot of people in both chambers are super concerned about.”
Duncan has also encouraged other students at the University of Oklahoma and beyond to
join OIL. He wishes more people would take advantage of OIL and its career development
opportunities.
“I urge more people from the University of Oklahoma to pursue this. We are the premier
liberal arts school. We should have more people doing this, and it’s a shame we don’t.”
With two sessions under his belt, Duncan is excited to continue working with OIL. He
will continue by rounding out the session by pushing legislation and pursuing awards for himself
and his delegation.