Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004
¾¨Ó㴫ý students have announced the schedule for the 2004 Mock Democratic Convention, Thursday and Friday, Feb. 5 and 6 at the Buzz Ridl Gymnasium.
The 18th ¾¨Ó㴫ý Mock Convention is the second oldest in the country. This student-run convention, a tradition at ¾¨Ó㴫ý since 1936, has run every four years for the party out of power, with the exception of 1944.
The convention begins at 3 p.m. with the call to order by the Presiding Chair, who will be chosen just before the event begins, and is followed by an invocation from Rev. James Mohr, chaplain of ¾¨Ó㴫ý. After the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dr. Jesse Mann, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, President R. Thomas Williamson will give a welcoming address. Roll call by Andrea Ceplecci, a junior political science major and secretary of the convention from Hubbard, Ohio, concludes the afternoon session.
Thursday's convention festivities continue at 6:30 p.m. with the colorful Parade of States, featuring delegates dressed in costumes appropriate to their chosen state. After the call to order, and invocation by Chapel Assistant Keturah Laney, David DiDesidario, a junior public relations major from New Wilmington, will sing the "Star-Spangled Banner."
After the roll call of states, Greg Smith, junior political science major from Allison Park, will introduce keynote speaker Paul Begala, democratic political strategist and debater on CNN's "Crossfire." Begala's address is expected to start at approximately 7:30 p.m. A platform debate ends the evening.
Friday's Mock Convention activities begins at 3 p.m. with the call to order, an invocation by Beth Brooks, executive secretary in the Student Affairs Office, the "Star-Spangled Banner" sung by Rachael Mellor, a junior theatre major from Slippery Rock, and the roll call. After a short recess, campaign managers will give presidential nominating speeches. General Wesley Clark is represented by Ashleigh Oram, a senior political science major from Jamestown, N. Y. Governor Howard Dean, is represented by Andrew Huston, a senior political science major from Oil City. Congressman Richard Gephardt is represented by Heather Kydd, a sophomore political science major from Las Vegas, Nev. Senator John Kerry is represented by John Knapp, a freshman political science major from Edgewood, Md. Representative Dennis Kucinich is represented by Colby King, a freshman environmental science major from Slippery Rock.
Following the demonstrations, the process continues with all the drama of the real convention. Finally, the roll call of states will establish the presidential and vice presidential candidates, and an acceptance speech is made by the campaign manager. ¾¨Ó㴫ý students do not always pick the candidate the real convention picks, however, students who have taken part in the process, rarely forget the things they learned and always remember the experience.
For more information, contact Dr. James Rhoads, associate professor of political science, at (724) 946-7255 or e-mail jrhoads@westminster.edu.
