Commission on Presidential Debates: Debate will be held at Wake Forest University
The Commission on Presidential Debates notified Wake Forest University September 14 that an agreement had been reached between the Commission and representatives from the campaigns of Al Gore and George W. Bush that will bring a presidential debate to Wake Forest.
The debate will be held as planned on Oct. 11 at 9 p.m. in Wait Chapel.
The university teamed last fall with the Winston-Salem Convention and Visitors Bureau to submit a bid to bring a 2000 presidential debate to the Wake Forest campus. Wake Forest has been preparing for the debate since the Commission announced the university as a debate site on Jan. 6.
“The Commission’s announcement was wonderful news, for our students and for our community,” said Thomas K. Hearn Jr., Wake Forest University president. “We look forward to welcoming both candidates to campus and we are excited about the educational opportunities that come with hosting a Presidential debate.”
Before the commission finalized the debate schedule with candidates, Wake Forest’s Student Government Association organized a postcard drive where students wrote personalized messages to the candidates, either thanking them for agreeing to participate or encouraging them to come to Wake Forest.
“The chance that the candidates wouldn’t come actually gave us, the students, some ownership of the process,” said Amanda Carlson, student government president. “It’s gratifying to have the commitment that they’ll both be here.”
For many faculty members, the debate has provided an opportunity to develop classes and public events that tie in with the 2000 presidential campaign and the debate. Several Internet projects and partnerships encouraging youth involvement in the debate are also underway.
For more details about the debate, visit the debate Web site at http://debate.wfu.edu.
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