Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
to square off at CSU's Wolstein Center
By Jennifer Spike and Matt GadusThe Clinton-Obama debate on Feb. 26 at the Wolstein Center will thrust Cleveland State into the national spotlight, according to CSU President Michael Schwartz.
“This is great for the university because we will be seen by everybody in the country,” Dr. Schwartz said. “Most importantly, it will give some of our students on campus a real opportunity to witness this event and become involved. My only concern is that I wish we could have more seating for students.”
This is the first presidential debate hosted by CSU.
The idea to host the debate at CSU stems from a telephone call from Brooke Spectorsky, president and general manager of WKYC, NBC’s Cleveland affiliate.
“Cleveland State University was my first choice,” Spectorsky said. “CSU is the best possible partner for WKYC and NBC because of the nature of the student body, and the fact that the campus is a public institution.
“CSU is just growing by leaps and bounds,” Spectorsky said. “I know asking the university to participate was the right thing. The size of the university is great, and the Wolstein Center is an excellent facility to host an event like this.”
The event offers an “unbelievable opportunity to showcase the university on a national scale,” said Rob Spademan, assistant vice president of marketing at CSU.
“The university is expecting close to 500 members of the media,” Spademan said.
This debate, however, has a heightened awareness in the media and national community because Ohio plays a pivotal role in presidential elections, Spademan said.
University campuses that had hosted such debates in the past have benefited greatly.
The largest impact on CSU is the visibility and the national recognition, according to Dr. Ned Hill, vice president of Economic Development at CSU.
“It is an honor and a privilege to present the university and the region in the best possible light,” said Hill.
For the city of Cleveland, the debate is a source of excitement and community building. “It is great for the city to be in the national press, portrayed in a positive manner,” said Hill.
Even though only a limited amount of CSU students will be in attendance at the Wolstein Center, it has brought the issues and excitement to the campus.
Another benefit is that the Wolstein Center will stand out and will attract more prominent events in the future.
Hill pointed out that if the Wolstein Center is good enough for a presidential campaign debate it can play host to almost anything.
The debate has generated tremendous interest among students, especially for political science majors, according to Dr. David R. Elkins, associate professor and chairman of the Political Science Department.
“These are popular events and there is a lot of excitement and chaos surrounding the campaigns,” Elkins said. “There is a certain theatrical element to them.”
Dr. Justin S. Vaughn, assistant professor at the Political Science Department, agreed.
“The debate has excited the students, and they have had an interest in the election more since the debate was announced,” Vaughn said, noting, “I think the same kind of excitement is in the faculty.”
Vaughn said the debate is a good event to incorporate into classes. “Using the debate is a good way to keep students’ attention.”
Both professors believe the debate will be close.
“These are two talented and charismatic people who will split allegiances,” Elkins said.
Vaughn said, “It will be intense.”
Nursing student Tariq Mitchell can’t contain her happiness.
“I am excited about it,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s a good opportunity for students. I think its going to put a good light on Cleveland State as a great college.”
Freshman Danielle Prexta expressed similar views.
“It’s a privilege that two presidential candidates are coming to CSU,” Prexta said.James Kneblik, Mike Soltesz and Tara Chalmers contributed to this report.
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