Date: Sep 03, 2009

Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency Announces the Appointment of Two Senior Presidential Fellows: Political and Campaign Strategist Ed Rollins and former DNC Chair Howard Dean

First Joint Appearance at Kalikow Center November Symposium "President or King? Evaluating the Expansion of Executive Power from Abraham Lincoln to George W. Bush"

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz today announced the appointment of two Senior Presidential Fellows at the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency:  long-time Republican strategist and former Presidential advisor Edward J. Rollins and former Vermont governor, presidential candidate and Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean.

“Due to the vision and generosity of Peter S. Kalikow, as well as Hofstra’s series of hosting comprehensive conferences on presidential administrations, the Kalikow Center has become a leader in the unique study of the history and politics of the American presidency. We are pleased to add two of our nation’s most respected and experienced political advisors, both of whom have unique perspectives on the executive branch, to the Kalikow Center,” said President Rabinowitz.  “We are very pleased to bring the shared expertise of Howard Dean and Ed Rollins to our students and our community.”

Their first joint appearance together on campus will be on November 5, during the final panel of the Kalikow Center Symposium "President or King? Evaluating the Expansion of Executive Power from Abraham Lincoln to George W. Bush.”  Kalikow Center Director Meena Bose, PhD, will moderate the panel.  In addition to appearing together during the symposium, both Governor Dean and Mr. Rollins will guest lecture, participate in University events and work with Hofstra students throughout the year.

“The expertise and knowledge of these two respected and senior political professionals  will be an extraordinary educational resource  for the Kalikow Center, our students, and the University community,” said Dr. Bose.  “Their rich professional experiences bring a unique understanding of the role of the American presidency in the political system.”

The Kalikow Center’s  November Symposium "President or King? Evaluating the Expansion of Executive Power from Abraham Lincoln to George W. Bush" takes place on November 4 and 5 at Hofstra University.  The symposium’s keynote address on November 4 will feature The New York Times editorial columnist David Brooks.   As well as being an OpEd columnist for The New York Times, Mr. Brooks is also a regular analyst on NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and NPR's All Things Considered.

For more information and to register for the symposium contact:  Hofstra Cultural Center, (516) 463-5669 or e-mail: hofculctr@hofstra.edu.  To view the symposium program go to:  http://www.hofstra.edu/Community/culctr/culctr_events_president_or_king.html

About Governor Howard Dean, MD
Governor Howard Dean, former DNC Chairman, presidential candidate, six term Governor and physician, currently works as an Independent consultant focusing on the areas of health care, early childhood development, alternative energy and the expansion of grassroots politics around the world.  Governor Dean also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Progressive Book Club, is a CNBC contributor and is the founder of Democracy for America.

Governor Dean began his career in public service in 1982 when he transitioned from a full-time practicing physician to an elected representative in Vermont.  Governor Dean served as Governor for 12 years - the second longest serving in the state.  Respected on both sides of the political aisle, Governor Dean was chairman of the National Governors' Association, the Democratic Governors' Association, and the New England Governors' Conference while he served as Governor of Vermont.  Governor Dean left office in Vermont to run for President in 2003 where he implemented innovative fundraising strategies such as use of the Internet. 

As chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor Dean created and implemented the “50 State Strategy” and the development of 21st century campaign tools.   Governor Dean is credited with helping Democrats make historic gains in 2006 and 2008. Under his leadership, significant resources were dedicated to revitalizing the Party by building and strengthening the organizational tools, technological capabilities and infrastructure required to win while laying the foundation for a long-term Democratic majority.

Before entering politics, Governor Dean graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in political science in 1971, and received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City in 1978. Upon completing his residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, he went on to practice internal medicine in Shelburne, Vermont.  He is married to Dr. Judy Steinberg and they have two children, Anne and Paul.

About Edward J. Rollins 
Ed Rollins has long been considered one  of America's premier political strategists and communication experts. He has  managed political campaigns for candidates and initiatives in this country and  around the world. He also specializes in image and crisis campaigns for  corporations.  Mr.  Rollins managed President Ronald Reagan's 49 state landslide reelection campaign  in 1984. President Reagan won more electoral votes than any President in  history. He also ran the campaign to defeat the first sitting House Speaker, Tom  Foley, in 1994.
Mr. Rollins has had major managerial roles in eight other  Presidential campaigns including most recently serving as National Chairman of  the Huckabee for President Campaign in 2008.

Mr.  Rollins has served in the administrations of four United States Presidents  (Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Bush; 41) including serving two tours of duty at the  highest level of the White House as Assistant to the President. He directed both  the White House Office of Political Affairs and the White Office of  Intergovernmental Affairs for President Reagan. He was also President Reagan’s  Deputy Chief of Staff in the second term.  His  other government experience includes directing congressional relations at three  cabinet agencies, (Transportation, Commerce and FEMA) and was also the Deputy  Superintendent and Dean of the faculty of the National Fire Academy.

Mr.  Rollins was the first non member of Congress to serve as the Chairman, and Chief  Executive officer of the National Republican Congressional Committee (the  political arm of the House Republicans) and served as the Senior Advisor to the  Chairman of the National Republican Committee for four years.

Mr.  Rollins is a Senior Political analyst for CNN news. His  memoir, Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms, was the number one selling political book  in America in 1996 and made the top of the New York Times and every other  national best seller list. Mr. Rollins lives in New York City, with his wife  Shari and 12 year old daughter, Lily.

About the Kalikow Center
Together with Hofstra's conferences on the American presidency, the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency and the Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies make Hofstra one of the very few institutions in the country with a unique focus on the presidency. The Center promotes a program of continuing research on key contemporary and perennial topics about  the American presidency, through conferences, symposia, guest lectures, and courses that bring together , from around the nation and the world, leading scholars, political practitioners, and journalists.  The Center is under the direction of Meena Bose, Ph.D., the Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and 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.