Sometimes, not knowing the end is the best beginning

If Erik Lowe had been certain of his future when he arrived at Western as a freshman, he might never have found his calling.

Now beginning his term as Associated Students president, Lowe, 22, is passionate about politics and civic engagement. He hopes to go to law school after he graduates.

“This was definitely not a direction I was planning on going at all,” Lowe said. “In high school, I was just an average student. I didn’t really try that hard and didn’t want to do anything other than sports. Then I got here and the atmosphere just blew me away.”

Lowe had been offered a spot on Western’s football team, but wanted to take some time off from sports to focus on his studies. He also began to explore his interest in politics by getting involved with the Young Democrats and a student chapter of the ACLU.

“By winter quarter, I decided I wanted to focus on school and activities rather than football,” Lowe said.

His sophomore year, he was a member of the Associated Students Legislative Affairs Council and part of a group that traveled to Washington D. C. to lobby for student issues. He became the AS vice president for Legislative Affairs last year and helped organize a voter registration concert.

The Associated Students is both the association of WWU students and the official student government.

At Western, Lowe began to see politics as a way students can influence the campus and the world.

“I didn’t realize students could have that much power,” Lowe said.

So Lowe’s advice to new students is simple: Try out something that sounds like a stretch, because that might be where you feel most at home.

“There’s so many different opportunities for students to get involved and have the chance to grow,” he said. “Just do something you typically wouldn’t do, and see where it takes you.”