Moscow Transplant Leads College Student Republicans
A student born and raised in the former Soviet Union may not be the most likely choice to hold a leadership position in a pro-Republican organization at a small, private liberal arts college in Wisconsin in the birthplace of the Grand Old Party. Yet that's exactly where Ripon College's Dmitri Smirenski, a 19-year-old transplant from Moscow, finds himself.
Smirenski, a sophomore politics and government major, is the first vice chair of the Ripon College Republicans, a student group dedicated to helping students become well- informed participants in the American political system. His parents, who opposed the communist regime that ruled the Soviet Union during his childhood, greatly influenced him to embrace democracy in the United States.
The son of Sergei and Elena Smirenski, Dmitri moved to Portage, Wis., in 1991 with his mother, a biologist with Baraboo's International Crane Foundation. His father remained in Moscow where he is a professor of ornithology at Moscow State University working intensively to preserve Russia's biodiversity and develop the nation's economy. The senior Smirenski aided in creating Muraviovka, the first privately owned nature park in Russia. Sergei travels to Portage each year to spend several months with his family. He recently visited Dmitri at Ripon College where he gave a presentation on "Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Russian Far East."
Having had contact with democracy in the United States through their work, Dmitri's parents believed and taught their son that democracy was favorable to communism. Although Dmitri attended mandatory children's clubs in Moscow where he was subjected to communist propaganda, and while none of his classmates favored democracy, his parents' ideologies remained with him throughout, creating a vastly different political outlook from that of his peers.
Upon moving to the United States at age 12, Dmitri's interest in government continued to grow. Graduating at the top of his class, Dmitri was active in the Wisconsin Dells High Schools mock trial program. A judiciary role-playing program, it gave Dmitri experience in acting out real court cases, researching past decisions in similar cases and competing in a team against other students. It was a trip to Washington, D.C., in 1995, that reinforced Dmitri's interest in American politics. It was then that he decided to pursue a career in government.
"I favor the Republican party because its ideologies most closely resemble mine," said Dmitri. "I am pro-life and favor limited government intervention and greater personal responsibility."
As first vice chair of the Ripon College Republicans, Dmitri is responsible for bringing speakers to the campus, organizing activities and planning trips for the group. This year Dmitri and other members of the College Republicans have worked to bring Wisconsin state senator Robert Welch (R-Redgranite), award-winning author and political commentator Charles Sykes and state assemblyman Luther Olsen (R-Auroraville) to speak in a series of lectures. In November, a group attended Gov. Tommy Thompson's birthday in Milwaukee where Dmitri met former Vice President Dan Quayle.
"It was an honor to meet someone who, despite considerable political opposition, is willing to stand up for his values and beliefs," commented Dmitri.
The group, which has plans to tour the Wisconsin supreme court and legislative chambers in Madison, was named "Most Improved Chapter of the Year" last year by the Wisconsin College Republicans Organization. Dmitri is hoping the group will receive "Best Chapter" honors this year.
"We are a more unified, enthusiastic and active group this year. Membership has increased and we have planned and carried out more events and are more involved in the state organization," said Dmitri.
"I am highly impressed with Dmitri's organization, enthusiasm and drive to put together activities for the Ripon College Republicans," said Paul Schoofs, the group's faculty advisor. Schoofs, the Patricia Parker Francis professor of economies and director of the business management program, said the College Republicans "would be a much less vibrant group without Dmitri. He is an extremely valuable member of the group and has done a great deal to revitalize it."
Dmitri's political activism is not limited to the College Republicans. He is involved in student senate and his residence hall council and writes a political column for "College Days," the biweekly student newspaper. Dmitri is one of two student representatives on the Trustee Committee for Development, a committee concerned with long-term planning and fund- raising.
Dmitri is also involved in the Student Media and Activities Committee, which coordinates events, and works as a student assistant in the college's computer center. He has been on the dean's list and has acted in two theater productions at Ripon College: "The Visit" in 1996, and "The Miser" in 1997. "The Miser" was recently entered in regional competition of the American Theater Festival. In preparation for his role in "The Miser," Dmitri, along with other cast members, participated in a number of comedy and clowning workshops including one with the renowned husband and wife comedy duo Cheney and Mills.
"Acting makes me more comfortable with public speaking, which is necessary for a career in politics," commented Dmitri. "My dream is to become a U.S. senator someday." He plans to attend law school after graduating from Ripon in 2000.
Contact: Loren Boone, campus news office, 920-748-8364.
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