Here’s some food for thought: The Center for Civic Responsibility and Leadership welcomes Pennsylvania State Senator, Scott Martin, for the Pizza, Policy and Pizza event.

The event will take place on Monday, Feb.12 in the SMC atrium from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Participants will discuss current events in Pennsylvania and learn more about the legislative process. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP through Get Involved.

“Senator Martin was chosen to speak at this year’s event because he represents the Millersville area in the state senate, so he is a logical choice,” says Dr. Laura Granruth, faculty coordinator of the Center for Civic Responsibility and Leadership and an associate professor in the School of Social Work. “Martin is an ’02 alum of Millersville and stays in close contact with the University.”

As a lifelong Lancaster County resident, Martin has deep roots in the community.  He was elected to his first term representing the 13th Senatorial District in November 2016 and re-elected in 2020.

Martin serves as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which plays a crucial role in negotiating and developing the state budget and reviews all legislation for its fiscal impact. Martin previously served as chair of the Senate Education Committee and Senate Local Government Committee.

Graduating from Millersville with a degree in sociology/criminal justice, Martin was also a three-time 1st Team Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference defensive tackle and two-time All-American. Martin was named one of the 150 greatest players/contributors in the history of the PSAC, one of 10 Millersville Marauders to earn that honor.

Martin has been inducted into the Lancaster Catholic Athletic Hall of Honor, the Millersville University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Lancaster-Lebanon League Wrestling Hall of Fame, the District III Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Lancaster County Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Susquehanna Valley Chapter.

“The University often invites legislators to campus, but the Center for Civic Responsibility and Leadership wanted to make this a standing event after the pandemic, so students have a chance to meet local legislators in an informal environment,” says Madison Wenig, graduate assistant at the Center for Civic Responsibility and Leadership.

State Representative for House District 49, Ismail “Izzy” Smith-Wade-El spoke at last year’s Pizza, Policy and Pizza event.

Smith-Wade-El was the President of Lancaster City Council on which he had served since 2017. During his four years on Council, he helped secure the largest investments in affordable housing and lead removal for the City of Lancaster in its history.

Smith-Wade-El is the son of longtime faculty member Dr. Rita Smith Wade-El, so he also has close ties to the University.

“Smith-Wade-El spoke about why he is called to public service through elected service, why it’s important for students to be civically engaged through, at a minimum, voting and in getting involved in community service,” says Wenig. “He also spoke about some of his priorities, such as addressing the affordable housing crisis.”

The next election in Pennsylvania is on Nov.7, and the last day to register to vote in this election is Oct.23. If you are registering where you live while attending college in PA, you can use either an on-campus or off-campus address. Students can also register and vote where they live while attending college in PA or at their prior home address, provided a family member or guardian still resides there. It’s important to note that individuals can only be registered in one place at a time.

Whatever option you choose, individuals must register to vote at least 15 days before the election.

Prior to the election, students will have a chance to meet with Senator Ryan Aument, who will be coming to campus in April. Aument has sponsored and helped pass proposals, like his bill to establish a commission to redesign the state’s education system to better prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Before representing Senate District 36, Aument served as a U.S. Army captain in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For more information regarding voter registration at Millersville University, click here.