“IDK My BFF George?”

“Annoy a Liberal. Work hard and be happy.”

“I believe the best social program is a job.”

Those are just a few bumper stickers one could find on Union sophomore Shane Noem’s Facebook page.

Most of the applications on his page are about supporting the Republican party. But his involvement with politics goes beyond the online social network.

Noem is the president of College Republicans. He has connected the group to the Student Government Association to get a dialogue between SGA and the student body.

“We want to make sure everybody is on the same page,” Noem said. “We want to create relationships with SGA to gain more student opinions for the Frankfort budget.”

Noem’s main goal with the College Republicans is to get more Republican supporters at Western to get a candidate elected to office, both on the local and national level.

“We want to make Western more involved as a campus in political affairs,” he said. “Most people leave our organization because they lose interest when things aren’t as active. We want to have more events and speakers.”

The College Republicans have been e-mailing presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign to convince his campaign workers to allow him to visit campus the Wednesday of finals week.

“We are trying to get more support here for the Republican party,” he said. “Bowling Green has been a large, strong force for conservative values. We want to reach out and make sure there are voices on those values.”

Shepherdsville junior Sara Miller, College Republicans treasurer, said that Noem brings great enthusiasm to projects for the group.

“Shane represents Western well,” Miller said. “I know seniors and graduates who are not as responsible and well presentable as Shane, who is only a sophomore.”

Scott Lasley, assistant political science professor and Noem’s adviser, said that Noem is a very dependable student.

“Not only does he help out, he does an excellent job,” Lasley said. “Shane is going to be a great asset in helping College Republicans achieve its goals this upcoming year.”

Noem has been working outside of campus to strengthen his involvement with politics. He will be interning at the Warren County Justice Center for Kentucky congressman Ron Lewis this summer.

He was recently voted secretary of the Kentucky Federation of College Republicans.

Noem said he hopes to continue his involvement in politics beyond graduation. He wants to be a campaign manager or press secretary. He may even run for office.

“I’ve been a boy scout since I was younger and grew up to appreciate public service,” he said. “I am for civil engagement and want to achieve that through politics.”

He would like to start conversations about gun control and the war in Iraq, two of the national issues that he feels most strongly about. He is also passionate about lowering college tuition and better organizing the state budget.

Reach Jill Erwin at diversions@chherald.com.