Dole Institute names fall Fellows

Jerry Austin will begin his study group ‘Political Campaigns’ in October

By Sasha Roe

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Jerry Austin, a political advertiser who worked with former President Jimmy Carter and Reverend Jesse Jackson, will lead study groups as a Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Fellow this fall. Austin visited classes and student organizations Monday and Tuesday and attended the Dole Institute’s Student Kickoff Dinner Tuesday evening to formally announce his study groups that begin October 16.

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Photo by Jon Goering

Jerry Austin, president of Gerald J. Austin and Associates Inc., was named as a fellow at the Dole Institue of Politics for fall 2007. Austin will lead study groups throughout the semester.

Austin, president of a political and public relations firm, Gerald J. Austin and Associates, Inc., also teaches at the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron. Austin said he loves to interest kids in politics and through the study groups he could offer them real life experience. He said that, with the vast coverage of the 2008 election, there was no reason a student would not want to get involved.

“The longest running reality show is the American presidency,” Austin said. “You can follow the election all over television, the Internet and YouTube.”

Austin started out as a junior high social studies teacher and volunteered in campaigns. Austin said he discovered the competition of politics to be exciting.

“It’s a one-day sale,” Austin said. “For 18 months you pretty much run a business, but then you vote on one day, and it’s over. I like the ‘one day, this is it.’ ”

Austin opened his own political and public relations firm in 1978 after realizing he was more interested in campaigns than his full-time job. Austin worked closely with politicians, and it’s those experiences he could use to illuminate students.

“I’ll show you what I’ve done and tell you how it works in the real world,” Austin said.

Austin said his study groups, “Presidential Campaigns,” would give students a back-room view of politics with visits from some of the nation’s top political reporters. He said it would also show students how important it was for them to care about the 2008 presidential election.

“I don’t care who you vote for, but just get involved,” Austin said. “This is supposed to be a participatory democracy, but the majority doesn’t participate.”

Jonathan Earle, Dole Institute interim director, said the timing and topic of Austin’s study groups was significant. Earle said Austin’s work with various presidential candidates was very valuable.

“Students are already tuned into this election,” Earle said. “Austin will bring real world experience.”

Austin’s love of competition is also present in his second passion — sports. Austin, who lettered in basketball in college, said every year he goes to Las Vegas to watch the March Madness basketball games. He had one request when he knew he was going to be working at the University of Kansas.

“I said ‘I’ll come do this, but I need to go to a KU basketball game,’ ” Austin said. “I will lose my standing with my friends in the sports world if I don’t go to Allen Fieldhouse.”

Austin said he looked forward to returning to the campus in October to lead the study groups.

“The most important thing I’m doing right now is teaching,” Austin said. “I hope I can give students a practitioner’s perspective.”

— edited by Ashlee Kieler

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