Student Union
Who is Mike Pence? Fast Facts about Trump's VP Pick
Here are some important facts to know about him:
- In his speech to the Republican National Convention in July when he accepted the nomination for vice president, Pence described himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.”
- Pence the politician has represented Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District in Congress for six terms before becoming Indiana's governor, according to his website.
- The Washington Post said Trump picked Pence because the leadership in the Republican Party likes Pence, and so do the social conservatives within the party. Essentially, Trump wanted to calm down Republicans with this pick, who may be nervous about Trump being at the top of the ticket, the Post said.
- In 2015, Pence was caught up in controversy surrounding a “religious freedom” bill he signed as governor of Indiana. The Washington Post reported that this “Religious Freedom Restoration Act came under fire nationally, with critics contending that it could allow businesses to refuse to serve gay and lesbian patrons.” However, to the disdain of many social conservatives, Pence revised the bill so it could not be used in a discriminatory way.
governor_pence_official_headshot_high_res - Pence originally endorsed Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the primaries, just four days before voters in Indiana went to the polls. However, he is now a strong supporter of Trump.
- The Washington Post said that Pence was “an early advocate for the Tea Party movement.” The Tea Party is a populist movement on the far right of the Republican Party that promotes cutting taxes, small government, and not compromising on the issues.
- The foreign policy that Pence supports is similar to Trump’s. Pence says he believes in a stronger American military, is a supporter of Israel, and supports tough interrogation methods. (The New York Times)
Fun Fact: Pence’s favorite ice cream flavor is "Moose Tracks," composed of vanilla ice cream, fudge and peanut butter cups. His favorite movie is the American classic, “The Wizard of Oz.” (Pence Fun Facts)
https://media.giphy.com/media/l0HlMq2NrXaobCOju/giphy.gif
Giphy
Please leave a comment and visit us on our Facebook page, thanks!
See all News Updates of the Day
‘Study away’ programs in the US can provide enrichment opportunities
While studying abroad can expose students to new cultures and experiences, researchers are finding that domestic ‘study away’ programs can be helpful as well.
Some students, including those on an international visa, may not be able to study abroad, but they can travel to other locations in the U.S. for enrichment experiences, Ashley Mowreader writes in Inside Higher Ed. (October 2024)
Fewer students disclose race in applications to top colleges
FAfter the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in college admissions last year, fewer students are disclosing their race or ethnicity in applications to top colleges.
Writing in USA Today, Zachary Schermele notes that the data is preliminary, but it could signal a change in the way students are approaching college applications. (October 2024)
Overall college enrollment is up, first-year enrollment down
For the second year since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, college enrollment has climbed in the United States.
But the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center noticed a substantial drop in the number of freshmen, which could be troubling for future enrollment, according to a report in Forbes. (October 2024)
South African universities embrace AI, seeing it as equalizing tool
The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT has sparked debate in higher education, raising questions about ethics and integrity in teaching, learning and knowledge creation. In South Africa, some academic institutions are taking a proactive approach, integrating AI into their curricula. Experts say this step is not only innovative but also helps level the playing field among students. Zaheer Cassim reports from Johannesburg.
International students may be able to get jobs at school
International students studying in the United States may be able to work on campus.
Jobs can include working in libraries, labs, food service and dormitories – but students will have to research the rules before applying for jobs, according to U.S. News & World Report. (September 2024)
