Students fired up for Dole’s visit to Alma
Republicans and Democrats usually can’t be seen mingling with one another a little more than a month before Election Day.
But that’s not the case for Republican Bob Dole and Democrat George McGovern.
And not for Republican and Wyandotte senior Megan Mulheisen and Democrat and Goodrich senior Emily Doerr, either.
Dole and McGovern will speak at 8 tonight at Alma College’s Cappaert Gymnasium — and Mulheisen and Goodrich will attend.
“I thought the opportunity to hear a couple senators talking about civility was pretty interesting,” Mulheisen said. “Emily was going and I figured a College Democrat and a College Republican going together would be fun, too.”
Mike Silverthorn, director of marketing and public relations for Alma College, said the two will host an open press conference at 7:15 p.m. at the Tyler Van Dussen Campus Center, before their
8 p.m. lecture.
Dole and McGovern will address the issues of responsible leadership and the role civility should play in it.
“Both Dole and McGovern are prominent former presidential candidates and even though they aren’t in the political arena anymore, they are still involved,” Silverthorn said. “They are responsible leaders who pursue and address key issues in the world.”
The former senators co-authored “Ending Hunger Now,” a book of essays on the scope of the world hunger problem and the best way to fight it in an urgent, nonpartisan manner.
Both also shared their views on the state of public debate last February at the University of Richmond.
“The program was well-received at Richmond and both Dole and McGovern enjoyed themselves,” Silverthorn said. “They had good conversation with students and the audience and we are happy and looking forward to when they come to Alma.”
The lecture is sponsored by the Center for Responsible Leadership at Alma and is free to the public.
Silverthorn said the gymnasium seats about 2,000 and he anticipates a large crowd, which are encouraged to arrive early.
Topinabee sophomore Dennis Lennox II plans on attending the event and is looking forward to meeting Dole again.
Lennox said he met Dole 10 years ago when he was involved in his presidential campaign.
“I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to listen to a two-party, bipartisan panel talk about issues and civility,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity and it’s too bad CMU can’t have something like this.”
