Hofstra U. Lecture Series

Hofstra University

Hofstra University is the largest private university on Long Island, in Hempstead, New York. Founded in 1935, the school offers more than 140 undergraduate and 150 graduate programs including liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services and honors studies, as well as a school of law.

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Media Contact:
Stu Vincent
University Relations
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Phone: 516-463-6493
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Date: Jan 29, 2009
Anderson Cooper, Donna Brazile, David Plouffe Among Featured Speakers for Define '09: New Challenges, New Solutions
Program will build on success of Educate '08 and presidential debate at Hofstra to inform and engage students, community
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper, political strategist Donna Brazile and David Plouffe, President Barack Obama's campaign manager, will be among the nationally known speakers coming to Hofstra this spring as part of Define '09: New Challenges, New Solutions, a year-long series that will examine the new presidential administration, its policies and initiatives, the challenges we currently face and ways of addressing our country's most pressing issues, President Stuart Rabinowitz announced today.

"Define '09 was designed to keep our students and the larger community engaged and informed about the new administration of President Barak Obama and to encourage civic awareness and engagement," President Rabinowitz said. "Our Educate '08 series was a tremendous success and served to involve our students and local residents in the excitement of the historic 2008 presidential election leading up to our hosting of the third and final debate on October 15."

Scheduled Define '09 speakers for the spring 2009 include:

• Donna Brazile, political strategist and CNN commentator who ran the 2000 presidential campaign of Vice President Al Gore. She will deliver the annual Arnold A. Saltzman State of the Union Lecture at Hofstra, speaking on race and politics. February 12, 2009 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Monroe Lecture Center Theater, California Avenue, South campus.

• David Plouffe, campaign manager, Obama for America, "The Obama Phenomenon: What’s Next?" The 2008 Obama presidential campaign fundamentally changed the way political campaigns are conducted. After winning the election on November 4, 2008, President Obama called Plouffe "the unsung hero" who built the best political campaign in the history of the United States. Plouffe is widely credited with masterminding the winning strategy and building a team that delivered unprecedented results. February 26, 2009, 3 p.m., Monroe Lecture Center, South Campus.

• Michael Barone, senior writer and columnist for U.S. News & World Report and author of “Our First Revolution: The Remarkable British Upheaval that Inspired America's Founding Fathers” (Crowne, 2007). Mr. Barone, who will deliver the annual Donald J. Sutherland Lecture, will speak on "Understanding the 2008 Election: What Does it Mean for American Politics?" Thursday, March 5, 2009, 3-4 p.m., in the Monroe Lecture Center Theater, California Avenue, South Campus.

• Anderson Cooper, anchor, CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, will speak on "A 360-Degree Look at World Events." Cooper has taken his audiences from the tsunami in Southeast Asia to the levees of New Orleans; from the Iraqi elections to the next U.S. president; and from past wars to the digital future. Delving deeply beneath the surface of each story, Cooper shares his engaging style and breadth of experience with audiences who seek insightful, contemporary knowledge about the events that shape our world. March 19, 2009, 3 p.m., John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus. [italics are mine]

All Define '09 programs are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Public seating is limited for these events. To register, check seating availability, and for a full list of Define ’09 events go to hofstra.edu/define09 and click on "Events."

Educate '08 was a year-long series of lectures, conferences, artistic performances and exhibitions, town hall meetings and interactive forums focused on the issues, history and politics of presidential elections. Speakers included George Stephanopoulos, Mario Cuomo, Mary Matalin and James Carville, David Gergen, William Kristol and Maureen Dowd, Charlie Cook, and many scholars, historians, journalists and policymakers.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 145 undergraduate and 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services; and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

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And we all know what a good... great speaker he is.
Lucky people at Hofstra and Long Island.