Freshman fulfills leadership calling
John Krudy
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: News
Elliot Gaiser, a freshman from Cleveland, Ohio took third place last week in the Everett Oratory Contest. He sees his oratory skills and seeking of campus leadership positions as fulfilling a calling to better his college and refine his country.
"It's the calling of every American and every Christian, a responsibility to be involved in politics," Gaiser said passionately. "It's a few hours leading up to an election that can determine our liberty."
Gaiser said his strong beliefs have inspired him to participate in every primary and general election since 2004: "I've worked in seven states, knocked on over 5,000 doors, and made over 10,000 phone calls," he said.
Gaiser is a member of the College Republicans leadership team, and senior Leadership Team Chair Christina Miller said Gaiser got involved quickly.
"If I call him, he always gets the thing done," Miller said. "He's very outgoing and good at getting other freshmen involved - that's something we've missed before."
Gaiser said while his beliefs fit American and Christian rubrics, his worldview is heavily influenced by the fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis. His father, Brian, who was away from home during most of Gaiser's youth, would record CDs of him reading with his actor's voice, stories Gaiser and his younger siblings loved.
"I try to apply those ideals of chivalry, virtue and knighthood to American ideals and Christian ideals," Gaiser said. "When the gates of Mordor are opposed to you, you still make your stand."
Gaiser's beliefs were evident in his Everett competition speech.
"He seemed very passionate, and he obviously made some Lord of the Rings references," said senior Mike David, who took first against Gaiser in the contest. "He knew what he was talking about, and he was well-read on the subject. He's definitely trying to make a name for himself."
Gaiser said he may try again for a seat on Student Federation, and he learned some lessons during his fall campaign. Gaiser's platform proposed increasing oversight of student publications and strengthening conservatism at Hillsdale.
"It raised the question of how we apply conservative views on campus - Student Fed is supposed to be a microcosm of Hillsdale," Gaiser said. "And The Collegian represents that microcosm, and we need to think of how to represent [conservative] views." He compared Student Federation's funding of campus publications to the federal government's funding of PBS and NPR.
His campaign was noted for its tongue-in-cheek posters referencing what he called "a mix of Hitler, Stalin and Obama."
"The posters probably weren't the best idea," Gaiser said. "I learned the dangers of putting out a one-line blip of what I wanted to do, without explaining it. As freshman without experience, I didn't raise a lot of specifics. They interpreted it as me taking a red pen to The Collegian."
"It's the calling of every American and every Christian, a responsibility to be involved in politics," Gaiser said passionately. "It's a few hours leading up to an election that can determine our liberty."
Gaiser said his strong beliefs have inspired him to participate in every primary and general election since 2004: "I've worked in seven states, knocked on over 5,000 doors, and made over 10,000 phone calls," he said.
Gaiser is a member of the College Republicans leadership team, and senior Leadership Team Chair Christina Miller said Gaiser got involved quickly.
"If I call him, he always gets the thing done," Miller said. "He's very outgoing and good at getting other freshmen involved - that's something we've missed before."
Gaiser said while his beliefs fit American and Christian rubrics, his worldview is heavily influenced by the fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis. His father, Brian, who was away from home during most of Gaiser's youth, would record CDs of him reading with his actor's voice, stories Gaiser and his younger siblings loved.
"I try to apply those ideals of chivalry, virtue and knighthood to American ideals and Christian ideals," Gaiser said. "When the gates of Mordor are opposed to you, you still make your stand."
Gaiser's beliefs were evident in his Everett competition speech.
"He seemed very passionate, and he obviously made some Lord of the Rings references," said senior Mike David, who took first against Gaiser in the contest. "He knew what he was talking about, and he was well-read on the subject. He's definitely trying to make a name for himself."
Gaiser said he may try again for a seat on Student Federation, and he learned some lessons during his fall campaign. Gaiser's platform proposed increasing oversight of student publications and strengthening conservatism at Hillsdale.
"It raised the question of how we apply conservative views on campus - Student Fed is supposed to be a microcosm of Hillsdale," Gaiser said. "And The Collegian represents that microcosm, and we need to think of how to represent [conservative] views." He compared Student Federation's funding of campus publications to the federal government's funding of PBS and NPR.
His campaign was noted for its tongue-in-cheek posters referencing what he called "a mix of Hitler, Stalin and Obama."
"The posters probably weren't the best idea," Gaiser said. "I learned the dangers of putting out a one-line blip of what I wanted to do, without explaining it. As freshman without experience, I didn't raise a lot of specifics. They interpreted it as me taking a red pen to The Collegian."
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