I am happy to announce that we have inked a deal to get two nationally-known political pundits on campus to debate the United States Presidential candidates’ positions.

Mark your calendars for October 27th at 7 pm in the Carey Center auditorium.

Former U.S. Senator and current Fox News commentator Rick Santorum and former Clinton Administration White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart, a frequent contributor on all of the cable networks, will be our guests and will discuss the merits of the McCain and Obama candidacies.

This event will be moderated by Saint Vincent Class of 2000 graduate Jen Miele. You’ve probably seen her on WTAE Channel 4, or in person on campus because she is so frequently here. In this the 25th anniversary of women enrolled at Saint Vincent, I am thrilled that Jen is available to be with us on this important occasion at her alma mater.

It should be a very interesting evening at the Carey Center because both Senator Santorum and Joe Lockhart speak with conviction about their beliefs - and both have a delightful sense of humor. And they probably couldn’t be further apart on the political spectrum if they tried.

Senator Santorum served two terms in the United States Senate and quickly ascended to the top as chairman of the Republican Conference. He was defeated in his 2006 re-election bid and currently practices law in Pittsburgh and Washington, and is also a Senior Fellow with the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.  When I worked in the White House I had many opportunities to meet with Senator Santorum and I can tell you that he is as sharp as a tack and the breadth of his knowledge and expertise is impressive. You will be in for a treat when you hear him state his opinions on the merits of the two candidates.

I only know Joe Lockhart by reputation. A 1982 Georgetown University graduate, he became a household name in America when, as Press Secretary, he handled the media frenzy that surrounded the impeachment trials of President Bill Clinton. He was born in the Bronx and worked his way up through the rough and tumble politics of presidential campaigns, having served in key positions in the campaigns of Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, and John Kerry. He knows the national stage as well as anyone in America which is why you see him on the cable all the time. His past work at ABC and CNN gives him a particularly keen understanding of presidential politics. I look forward to greeting him when he comes to Saint Vincent College for the first time.

Congratulations to the Student-Faculty Administration Board for being able to secure two A list speakers as part of our New Horizons Speakers series.

As a student you get a free ticket to the event – but you will need a ticket. Stay tuned for details from Vice President Mary Collins on how you can get one. If we have enough student interest, we will have the debate on closed circuit television so that any student who wants to hear this important discussion, can.

Finally, please make sure that you are registered to vote on November 4th.

The Student Government Association can tell you what you need to do to make sure that you can vote in Latrobe (in the event you are registered back home). It is important that you participate in this election – we had a registration table up during the Club Fair earlier this month, and the SGA can tell you what is available now. If you aren’t sure what to do, call Director of Campus Life, Jason Winters, at extension 2094.