Aquinas alumnus and Michigan State Representative Brandon Dillon will serve as the keynote speaker for Project Unite during this year’s new student orientation on Friday, August 19. Rep. Dillon, who graduated from Aquinas in 1995 with a Bachelor of Political Science degree will join the incoming freshman as both a guest speaker, and participant in Project Unite, where orientation groups spend a day acting out the Dominican charism of service through volunteer work in the community.

“I was invited [to attend Project Unite] and always participate in events at Aquinas because of my positive experience as a student and alumnus,” Rep. Dillon said. “I had excellent professors and believe that the personal approach and ability to maintain a direct relationship with my instructors gave me a solid educational foundation to pursue a career in public service.”

Rep. Dillon was first influenced to work in the government by his grandfather, who inspired him to make a commitment to helping those less fortunate than himself. While at Aquinas, Rep. Dillon continued to work toward his future as a politician through both academic study and work with various political campaigns.

“I think Aquinas has a well-deserved reputation for preparing students like myself to meet all the challenges in life,” Rep. Dillon said.

After graduating from Aquinas, Rep. Dillon went on to earn his M.A. in Political Science from Northeastern University while interning under U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy. In 2000, Rep. Dillon worked for a direct mail firm that produced campaign literature for candidates nationwide. In 2003 he began work for State Senator Jim Barcia in Bay City, Mich., where he remained until 2010. He was elected to the Kent County Board of Commissioners in 2006, where he remained until he was elected to serve in the State House for the 75th District (Eastern part of Grand Rapids, Mich.) in November of 2010.

“[I’m] just looking forward to the event,” Rep. Dillon said of speaking at Project Unite. “I hope [the incoming freshman] get a chance to see that all the academic study has real life benefit for whatever career they choose.”