Date: Jan 30, 2008

Hofstra University, Host of Final 2008 Presidential Debate, Launches Educate '08

A Comprehensive, Year-Long Series of Events, Lectures and Academic Programs

Today Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz announced the launch of Educate '08: Dialogue, Democracy and the ’08 Debates, an unprecedented educational effort that will engage not only students and faculty but also the public in a year-long series of conferences, events and lectures about the 2008 election, politics and presidential history.   

“In November 2007, Hofstra University received word from the Commission on Presidential Debates that we would have the privilege of hosting the third and final presidential debate of the 2008 election, on October 15, 2008,” said President Rabinowitz.  “When the CPD announced that Hofstra would serve as a debate site, we pledged to build on our already rich history of internationally renowned conferences, including Hofstra’s eleven presidential conferences. We are creating a comprehensive, in-depth series of lectures, academic coursework, events and public programs about the issues of this election, history and politics while encouraging engagement in the democratic process.”  

Hofstra’s unique programs, such as the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the Presidency, the Center for Civic Engagement, the Hofstra Cultural Center and the National Center for Suburban Studies, as well as all of the schools and colleges of Hofstra University, are important partners in the Educate ‘08 series.  

Educate ’08 begins on February 4 and 5, 2008, to coincide with Super Tuesday, the day on which the largest-ever number of state U.S. presidential primary elections will be held. Twenty-four states, including New York, are scheduled to hold caucus or primary elections for one or both parties on this date.  Events on these days include a voter registration drive across campus, “Super Duper Tuesday Primary Returns Party,” hosted by the School of Communication, WRHU and the Department of Political Science, and the Center for Civic Engagement’s celebration of Black History Month lecture “The Role of the Civil Rights Movement in 21st Century Politics.”  

More than 20 events have been already been designated as Educate ’08 events, including the Arnold A. Saltzman Lecture on the State of the Union, by author and former presidential advisor David Gergen; the Peter S. Kalikow Presidential Studies Symposium “From Votes to Victory: Winning and Governing the White House in the 21st Century;” the Center for Civic Engagement’s International Scene Lecture Series on Issues of American Foreign Policy; and Hofstra Entertainment’s summer production of 1776.

Other academic programs, such as academic coursework and scholarships for Hofstra students to participate in the Washington Center’s study of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions this summer, are an important component of Educate ’08.  

Many of these programs will be free and open to the public.  Programs will continue to be added throughout the year.  More information about Educate ’08 is available at www.hofstra.edu/educate08

ABOUT HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
Hofstra University, located in Hempstead, New York, approximately 25 miles east of Manhattan, is a dynamic private institution where approximately 12,500 students choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, and a School of Law. Hofstra University, which was founded in 1935, has more than 110,000 alumni.  Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence; cutting edge technology; extensive library resources; internships and special educational programs that appeal to students' interests and abilities.

Related Link: Educate '08