A Point of Pride: Hofstra University is 1 of Only 2 Schools to Host Consecutive Presidential Debates (2008, 2012)

As many members of our community are aware, Hofstra was given the rare opportunity to host not only one, but two presidential debates, consecutively! On October 15th, 2008 Hofstra hosted their first Presidential debate between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. The debate focused on domestic policy and the economy. The second Presidential debate hosted by Hofstra was the following debate on October 16th, 2012 was between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. This debate like the first at Hofstra primarily focused on domestic policy, but also touched on foreign affairs. 

I bring up these debates now because Hofstra has in fact applied to host what would be their third consecutive Presidential debate in 2016! While the debate would be quite a while from now, it is quite exciting to know that Hofstra could be one of the ONLY universities to host three consecutive presidential debates! As a student here on Hofstra’s campus I put my name into the lottery to hopefully be chosen as a lucky ticket holder, however I was not one of the lucky random winners. Myself, and I am sure many other hopeful Hofstra students, are hoping for the 2016 debate to be on our campus and for more students to be chosen to attend as a guest! When I applied to be in attendance for the 2012 debate, I believe only 100 students were chosen at random to attend the debate. However, this event typically does provide students with at least one great opportunity. Students are allowed to volunteer to help out with necessary preparations for the day. This gives students a behind the scenes look at what it takes to host such a major national event and also provides some volunteer experience that can be put on a resume.

Written by Stephanie Iaccarino

Mayor Cory Booker Kicks Off Debate 2012 During P.R.I.D.E. Week

Two-term Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Cory Booker, will be kicking off “Debate 2012: Pride, Politics and Policy” when he speaks to the Hofstra community as part of the second annual P.R.I.D.E. Week on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. The event will be held in the Helene Fortunoff Theater in the Monroe Lecture Center. His speech, “Changing the World with Your Bare Hands,” aims to empower people to take action and be of greater service. There will also be a Q&A session so come prepared with questions!

You must RSVP to attend. Space is limited and will fill up fast! To register now, visit www.hofstra.edu/CoryBooker.

About Cory Booker
Mayor Booker’s career began in 1998, after serving as Staff Attorney for the Urban Justice Center in Newark. He then continued his career as Newark’s Central Ward Councilman. During his years of service, then-Councilman Booker earned a reputation as an innovative leader willing to take bold action to effect change. For his work, he has been recognized widely, including, among others, TIME, Esquire, New Jersey Monthly, Black Enterprise (naming him to the Hot List, America’s Most Powerful Players under 40) and The New York Times Magazine. For more information about Mayor Booker visit www.corybooker.com

Join Student Affairs and the Political Science Department on Tuesday, February 28 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Mack Student Center Theater for the showing of the Oscar-nominated documentary, “Street Fight,” that chronicles the contentious 2002 mayoral race in Newark, which pitted Mayor Booker against incumbent Sharpe James. Professor Rosanna Perotti will present an introduction to the movie and set the context for that election.

P.R.I.D.E. Week events
Check out the full listing of P.R.I.D.E. Week events here.