Alum Shares Expertise with Elections 2024

Elections 2024, taught by US History teacher Andrew Bigelow, is an elective for seniors that focuses on not only the election of the new president, but also the process of elections at every level, from local to national. To achieve this goal, Bigelow could have found a textbook and had his students begin memorizing important information; however, he knew that hearing from a wide range of experts would help drive home the importance of this new knowledge in a way that shows its real-world application literally.

To that end, Bigelow worked with Director of Alumni Relations and Institutional Events Chuck Lira to invite Matt McMurray ’08, chief of staff for Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “I hadn’t seen Matt since he was in my very first U.S. History course in the spring of 2007,” Bigelow shared. Thanks to the Development and Alumni Office, this reunion was a perfect fit for this class. “In Elections [2024], I want to make sure we have alums who have made a career out of politics to speak to our kids—Matt is perfect,” Bigelow explained. “He gave us his journey and how he ended up as chief of staff for Rep. Kelly.”

Seniors in the class enjoyed the experience of seeing someone who sat in their very same classroom contribute his time and efforts to the democratic process. Bigelow said, “The kids really appreciated his advice on how to treat people we encounter, how to be memorable and even what color suit to where in an interview (blue). Matt’s passion for working on the Hill was contagious, and the kids loved it.”

Parker thanks McMurray for taking time from his busy schedule to speak to students and all who made this experience possible.

Click here for photos.