Clarkson University Student Eric Wagner of Marcellus Joins 850 Other Undergraduates in Trip to State Capital

2010 Mar 16

Clarkson University student Eric Wagner of Marcellus, N.Y., joined 850 students from across New York state in Albany in February. Wagner is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering.

Wagner and other students met with local legislators including State Senator Darrel (D -Cape Vincent) in the senate chamber. With the unpredictability of Albany these days, Senator Aubertine was called to session early and took the opportunity to meet with Clarkson's students in the Senate Chamber. There, the students were able to see the historic Chamber and have their photo taken with Senator Aubertine on the senate dais.

In addition to Senator Aubertine, students met with Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D -Theresa), Senator Joe Griffo (R-IP-C-Rome), Chairwoman of the Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens) and Chairwoman of the Assembly Higher Education Committee Assemblywoman Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan), who has previously visited the Clarkson University campus.

While not meeting with individual legislators, students were able to participate in events hosted by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), the statewide advocacy organization for private colleges and universities across the state. CICU brings undergraduates to the state capital to advocate for its legislative agenda and this year highlighted cuts to higher education totaling $74.1 million.

[A photograph for media use is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/aubertine-2-2010.jpg .]

Photo caption: Front Row (left to right): Sen. Darrel Aubertine, Latesha Fussel of SUNY Potsdam (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Keisha Pierre-Lys of Clarkson (Queens , N.Y.), Courtney Doyle of SUNY Potsdam (Winthrop, N.Y.), and Director of Clarkson's CSTEP and McNair Scholars Programs Marj Warden (who chaperoned the group). Back Row: Eric Wagner of Clarkson (Marcellus, N.Y.), Melanie Waldman of Clarkson (Victor, N.Y.), Crista Brenner of Clarkson (Cheektowaga, N.Y.), Carolyn Orth of Clarkson (Owego, N.Y.), David Yambay of Clarkson (Wallkill, N.Y.) and Mahamadu Trawally of Clarkson (Bronx, N.Y.).