Lindsey Wilson University Takes Part in National Voter Registration Day
LWU Center for Civic Engagement and Student Leadership registers, informs students about the voting process.
COLUMBIA, Ky. (09/16/2026) — Lindsey Wilson University student Coburn Sandefur '30 is glad he checked his voter registration on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The psychophysiology major from Beaver Dam, Kentucky, discovered he had not yet registered to vote. He still had 20 days to do so until the Oct. 5 deadline, and thanks to the Lindsey Wilson Center for Civic Engagement and Student Leadership he got help making sure he will be ready to cast a ballot in the Nov. 3 general election.
As part of National Voter Registration Day, the Lindsey Wilson Center for Civic Engagement and Student Leadership staffed an education and information table for two hours in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center lobby to help U.S. students register to vote or check on their voter registration. And in the spirit of Election Day, students were given stickers that celebrated National Voter Registration Day.
National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan federal day of observance dedicated to creating broad awareness about voting and voter registration. Since its inception in 2013, more than 6.5 million voters have been registered.
"It's such a great investment of your time to take the time to register to vote," said Yayi Sonnabend '23, Lindsey Wilson director of Bonner Scholar Program and civic engagement and leadership.
This was the fifth year Sonnabend has helped with National Voter Registration Day, and the first time as director of the university's Civic Engagement and Student Leadership.
"It's important for students to register to vote as part of developing their values and deciding what they believe in," said Sonnabend. "I'm really proud to be involved in this with students, helping them to register to vote or answer any questions they have about voting."
Responding to an email
Student Haley Meyer '29 of Campbellsville, Kentucky, was one of the Lindsey Wilson students who registered to vote on Tuesday. She said a campuswide email from Sonnabend urging students to stop by the center's table helped encourage her to register to vote on National Voter Registration Day.
"It's important for people to be actively engaged with all that's happening, and voting is a way to do that," said Meyer, a media studies major.
Fellow student Wyatt Seekford '29 of Georgetown, Kentucky, was another student who registered to vote.
"I hadn't done it, and I needed to do it," said Seekford, a business administration major.
Seekford said registering to vote was an act of civic responsibility.
"If I'm going to make an impact in my community, then I should have a say in it by voting," he said.
Sharing their voices
In addition to helping students register to vote and checking on their voting status, the Lindsey Wilson Center for Civic Engagement and Student Leadership also fielded voting-related questions such as how to request an absentee ballot.
"Not everyone has the luxury of driving home to vote on Election Day," said Sonnabend.
Student Elizabeth Pirtle '27 of Fulton, Kentucky, registered to vote on National Voter Registration Day 2023 at Lindsey Wilson. She said she's been a committed voter ever since. This year, she stopped by the table to check on her voting status.
"I wanted to make sure that I was able to share my voice and opinions and support whatever I thought was right," said Pirtle, a human services and counseling major.
Fellow student Anastacia Godman '27 of Cynthiana, Kentucky, took advantage of the day to finally register to vote.
"I just never got around to it," said Goodman, a history and psychology major. "I want to make my opinions heard and have a say in what is happening."
Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.
Media Attachments
Lindsey Wilson University students Coburn Sandefur ’30 of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, left, and Elijah Lunderman-Hattaway ’30 of St. Marys, Georgia, register to vote on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center lobby as part of National Voter Registration Day. The Lindsey Wilson event was sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement and Student Leadership. At right are Yayi Sonnabend ’23 Lindsey Wilson Director of Bonner Scholar Program and Civic Engagement and Leadership, center, and Assistant Director of Bonner Scholar Program Jaydelynn Grace Woodall ’27 of Science Hill, Kentucky.
