Date: Oct 30, 2008

Hofstra Students and Faculty to Gather for 2008 Election Night Party to Watch Returns

Student Center event a highlight of year-long Educate ’08 program focused on presidential election and debate at Hofstra

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – A year of notable speakers, special events and academic courses at Hofstra focused on the 2008 presidential election will culminate on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 with an Educate ’08 Election Night Party at which students and faculty will gather to watch the election returns.

The party will take place in the main dining room of the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus, beginning at 7 p.m.

The returns party will be a highlight of the year-long Educate '08 series, launched by Hofstra after the Commission on Presidential Debates announced last November that the third and final 2008 presidential debate would be held at the University on October 15, 2008. An estimated 3,500 journalists came to Hofstra from throughout the nation and from around the world to cover the debate, which focused on the economy and domestic issues.

"Hosting the debate has transformed our university community," said Rosanna Perotti, associate professor of political science, who directed academic programs for Educate ’08. "Hundreds of students have registered to vote, attended Debate Watches, lunched with policymakers, volunteered to campaign for candidates, covered political stories, formed discussion groups and held rallies. Our students have immersed themselves in public affairs, and even the responsibilities of midterms and term papers don't seem to have put a damper on their spirit.  Our students will likely remain engaged in the political process for a very long time."

Hofstra will continue to offer programs related to the 2008 presidential election during the first 100 days of the new administration.

Leading up to the debate and the 2008 election, Educate '08 is an unprecedented series of lectures, conferences, artistic performances and exhibitions, town hall meetings and interactive forums focused on the issues, history and politics of presidential elections.  Educate '08 provides our students, faculty and the entire surrounding community with access to the newsmakers, scholars and policymakers who have unique insight and knowledge of the American political system.  Many of our programs and events are free and open to the public. Notable speakers included George Stephanopoulos; former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo and Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations; Mary Matalin and James Carville; David Gergen; William Kristol and Maureen Dowd; Charlie Cook; and many other scholars, historians, journalists and policymakers. 
 
Find out more about Educate '08 by visiting www.hofstra.edu/educate08

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can 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, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.