Campaign 2008
Presidential Academic Seminar Series

Long List of Well-known Speakers Planned for DNC Program

When Michelle Obama steps to the stage on August 25, at the Pepsi Center in support of her husband, she will stand behind a hi-tech podium that not only features a small LED TelePrompTer but its own air conditioning system, Ricky Kirshner, executive producer of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, told more than 370 college students today.

Kirshner, who has produced previous events for the Democrats, the Super Bowl and the Tony Awards, spoke with students about the challenges of staging what, in this year, promises to be a massive event that will draw thousands of delegates, journalists, politians and other on-lookers to the Mile High city.  It is no simple task, Kirshner warned.

“We haven’t done our job unless the message gets out,” he said, adding, “You’ve got to be realistic from the beginning.”

Kirshner, along with convention committee Chief Executive Office Rev. Leah D. Daughtry, were among the first in a long line of speakers who will address participants in The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars’ Campaign 2008: The Democratic National Convention being hosted by Regis University now until Aug. 29.

During the next two weeks, politicians including Colorado Governor Bill Ritter; DNC Chair Howard Dean; Elbra Wedgeworth, president and chair of the Denver Host Committee; Jane Fleming, executive director of the Young Voter Political Action Committee; Mary McClelland, Rock the Vote’s deputy political director for field operations and CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer, among many others, are scheduled to visit Regis’ Denver campus to address Campaign 2008 participants. 

Ritter will speak August 22 at 9:30 a.m. An expert media panel offering its perspective on the 2008 campaign, moderated by C-SPAN’s Steve Scully, is scheduled immediately following Ritter’s speech.

More than 350 students from nearly 120 colleges and universities are participating in The Washington Center’s Democratic National Convention seminar in Denver.  An additional 100 students will participate in a similar Republican National Convention academic seminar in Minneapolis-St. Paul, being hosted by Augsburg College beginning August 24.  Participants in each program arrive early for a week of academic seminars and lectures in advance of the convention to learn about the political process and the role the event plays in the selection of a party’s presidential and vice-presidential nominees. 

Speakers in The Washington Center’s Republican National Conventions program include RNC Co-chair Jo Ann Davidson, former U.S. Rep. Tim Penny, D-Minn., and Schieffer.

In addition to hearing from political leaders and experts, participants will tour their host cities, have the chance to meet with their local delegations and participate in at least six hours of volunteer “fieldwork” with an organization that has a vested interest in the convention and its outcome.  Those organizations include the host committees, local delegations, the national parties, media organizations, lobbying firms and interest groups.  Through their participation, students will have the opportunity to network and hobnob with political insiders, agenda shapers and the media to gain a unique, behind-the-scenes look into how the conventions work and watch history in action—from the back rooms to perhaps even the convention floor!

Media Contact: Courtney Mabeus 202.345.5943

Regis University, with nearly 16,000 students, comprises Regis College, the College for Professional Studies and Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions. The University is recognized by U. S. News & World Report as a Top School in the West and is one of 28 Catholic Jesuit colleges and universities throughout the United States.  For more information about Regis University visit www.regis.edu.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an educational non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides thousands of students from hundreds of colleges and universities nation and worldwide with specialized internship opportunities in Washington D.C. and abroad and specialized academic seminars to promote civic engagement, professional achievement, and diversity in transformational, experiential learning opportunities. Web site: www.twc.edu

For more information, a list of speakers or to apply, visit http://www.campaign2008.info  or email: C2008@twc.edu

Dates & Deadlines

Early deadline range for Summer 2009 Term, Quarter and Postgraduate began September 29, 2008.

Regular deadline for Spring 2009 Quarter is January 16, 2009.

Early deadline range for Fall 2009 Semester, Quarter and Postgraduate is January 23, 2009.

Competitive deadline for Summer 2009 Term, Quarter and Postgraduate is February 2, 2009.

Calendar

• View TWC Calendar