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¾¨Ó㴫ý's 19th Mock Convention, one of the oldest surviving collegiate conventions in the country, will take place Nov. 9-10.

A quadrennial event since its inception on the ¾¨Ó㴫ý campus in 1936 - with the exception of 1944, when it was not held due to World War II - the convention is held for the party not currently in the White House. Thus, this convention and its candidates will be Republican.

"Whenever I speak to alumni, the conversation inevitably turns to the Mock Convention and their participation when they were students," said Dr. James Rhoads, ¾¨Ó㴫ý professor of political science and five-time faculty adviser to the convention.  "This is an all-campus event that binds together generations of ¾¨Ó㴫ý students.  It is truly a special event that comes along only once in a student's ¾¨Ó㴫ý career.  I hope everyone takes advantage of the opportunity to be part of a ¾¨Ó㴫ý tradition."

¾¨Ó㴫ý students, faculty, and staff will represent eight regions of the country rather than individual states, a change instituted at the 2007 convention that proved successful. 

New this year is the elimination of delegate fees to encourage greater student participation.  Nearly half of the 1,500 ¾¨Ó㴫ý students are expected to participate.

The event opens at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening in Orr Auditorium with keynote speaker Christine O'Donnell, former U.S. Senate candidate from Delaware and author of Troublemaker: Let's Do What It Takes to Make America Great Again.  O'Donnell will be signing copies of her book in Orr Lobby following her speech.

Thursday's schedule begins at 3 p.m. in the Field House with students debating the issues.  Pre-convention entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the parade of delegates at 7:30 p.m., and nomination of candidates for president and vice president at 7:45 p.m.  All events are free and open to the public.

"This is a great tradition at ¾¨Ó㴫ý," Rhoads said.  "Students have a great deal of fun while also learning a lot about our political process.  As citizens of the United States, students should acquaint themselves with our political system, and the Mock Convention can play a part in that process."    

Contact Rhoads at (724) 946-7255 or email for additional information. Click for more information about ¾¨Ó㴫ý's Mock Convention.