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2009 Senior Class Raising Funds to Commemorate Presidential Debate |
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Written by Jennifer Southall
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03/24/2009 |
OXFORD,
Miss. - The Class of 2009 at the University of Mississippi has
announced its senior project, a campus marker to commemorate the first
2008 presidential debate, between U.S. Sens. John McCain and Barack
Obama.
The class is raising money for the marker, which will be
erected on the lawn of the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing
Arts. Broadcast internationally Sept. 26, 2008, from the Ford Center,
the debate was the first of three face-offs between the Republican and
Democratic nominees during the 2008 election, and it was the first-ever
presidential debate to take place within Mississippi.
"The debate was one of the most significant events in Ole Miss' 160-year history," said Thomas J. "Sparky" Reardon, who served on the debate steering committee for the university, where he is dean of students and assistant vice chancellor for student affairs. "We are thankful to the senior class for establishing a permanent reminder of an event that allowed us not only to bear witness to history but also to show millions how special our university and state are."
The marker will include the names of UM's debate steering committee members, who worked to bring the event to Ole Miss and to ensure its success. The sign will also note that "national and international media coverage of the event brought the world to Ole Miss and Oxford."
Barrett Beard, 2009 senior class president, said that he's pleased his class selected the marker for its project.
"Like every other Ole Miss student I know, I feel extremely privileged to have been here last fall and to have experienced the energy and excitement surrounding the debate," the Memphis native said. "My class is happy to be able to commemorate the debate as our legacy to Ole Miss."
To give to the 2009 senior class project, visit http://www.umfoundation.com/seniors , or send a check, made payable to the University of Mississippi Foundation/2009 Seniors, to P.O. Box 249, University, MS 38677. All gifts are tax-deductible.
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