This 2012 election is the first time that many students at Seton Hill University (SHU) are able to cast their votes for the new president. With this new responsibility, students reflect on what they want most in a president.
“I want somebody who is going to improve the economy and create jobs so I can get one when I get out of college,” said Jenna Bodnar, sophomore creative writing and Spanish major.
Many students shared the desire for a president who would improve the education system and monetarily benefit college students.
Bodnar expressed interest in a president who would offer scholarships to college to students with a high GPA. “In Massachusetts, Romney offered a full tuition scholarship to every high school student with a high GPA to attend any public college in Massachusetts of their choice,” said Bodnar. “A policy like that everywhere in America would be nice.”
“I want a president who is for liberal arts, supporting education, and lowering costs for college students,” said Becky Schirf, freshman chemistry/forensic science major.
“One that lowers taxes for everyone, gets the deficit down and fixes the budget,” said Ryan Kelley, sophomore accounting major, when asked what his ideal president would be.
“Also, one who makes post secondary education possible for more Americans,” said Kelley.
Other students were more concerned with the values of the president, and how much the president would care for his or her people.
“I like conservative fiscal values and liberal social values in a president,” said Dylan Gourley, a sophomore music education major. “On that basis, I think it would be very beneficial to have a libertarian in power but I don’t hold much hope in that happening in the next few elections.”
“I think that the most important quality above anything else is truly caring for the people of our country, and not their own personal agenda,” said Michele Morgan, a freshman Elementary/Special Education major.
“A president who would somehow find a way to make everyone happy, which is really hard to do, but someone who would get in everyone’s shoes and see everyone’s perspectives,” said Alissa Barron, a junior biology/pre-professional health major.
“Also, someone who will stick to what they say, and not skip from one opinion to another. People need someone who they can trust,” said Barron.