October 28, 2010
St.
John’s University completed two successful Candidate Forums this
month, in collaboration with the Queens Chronicle & Times
Ledger Newspapers, and gave student leaders a chance to meet, greet
and question the political agenda’s of New York State and Federal
candidates.
These back to back forums on October 18 and October 25 were part of
the student-driven “PARTICIPATE 2010” initiative. These
non-partisan Candidate Forums are part of the University-wide
effort to better inform and engage St. John’s students in the
political process.
“Overall the two candidate forums held on campus were successful
and demonstrate the continued growth and outreach of the
Participate Initiative over the last three years. Elected officials
and candidates for public office know the value and political
potential of young voters and the University provides a welcome
venue for honest political conversation” said Brian Browne,
Assistant Vice President of Government Relations at St. John’s
University, who served as moderator for both forums.
Week one brought together candidates for the NYS Legislature to the
University’s Belson Moot Court Room (School of Law) for
constructive political discussion that centered on jobs in New
York, the Governor’s Race, term limits and varied concerns of
student financial aid and the MTA fare hikes before a crowd of
students, administrators and community members. These candidates
included:
- New York State Senator Frank Padavan and his opponent former
NYC Council Member Tony Avella
- New York State Assembly Member David Weprin and his opponent
Mr. Timothy Furey
- New York State Senator Toby Stavisky
- New York State Assembly Member Rory Lancman
In week two, the Federal Candidate Forum produced lively
dialogue regarding topical subject matter of national importance
including: health care reform, the economy, unemployment, the
federal deficit, economic opportunities for college graduates and
political reform. The candidates at the federal level that
participated on this night included:
- Congressman Gary Ackerman and one of his opponents Ms.
Elizabeth Berney
- Congressman Anthony Weiner and his opponent Mr. Bob Turner
- Mr. Jay Townsend running against U.S. Senator Chuck
Schumer
- Mr. Asher Taub running against
Congressman Gregory Meeks
NY1 television political reporter CeFaan Kim, Times Ledger
writer Anna Gustafson and Queens Chronicle writer Michael Cusenza
sat in with student panelists Katie Beckmann (St. John’s senior
Journalism major), Danielle Douglas (St. John’s junior Government
and Politics major) and Alexander Marion (St. John’s sophomore
Government and Politics major) for this two-week agenda of
political conversation.
The St. John’s University “PARTICIPATE” initiative began in advance
of the historic 2008 Presidential Election. They are open to the
public and are utilized to lead discussions on issues of importance
to college students and the local community.
The main focus of the PARTICIPATE initiative is to encourage
students to register to vote and to be engaged and informed in the
political process. Historically, voter turnout decreases in
non-Presidential elections and the PARTICIPATE initiative seeks to
keep students involved in the political process.
The forum’s tagline is – “Just as Important, Just as Exciting, Just
Participate.”
For more information visit the “PARTICIPATE 2010” web site at
www.stjohns.edu/participate.
For media inquiries please contact Elizabeth Reilly, Assistant
Director of Media Relations at St. John’s University by calling
(718) 990-5789, or by email to reillye@stjohns.edu.