University Park, Pa. -- With Election Day approaching, Penn State continues to be a forum for the exchange of a wide array of political ideas and speech.
In the past few days alone, the University Park campus played host to former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean as part of its Distinguished Speakers Series in Eisenhower Auditorium on Thursday night (Oct. 28), followed by a campaign visit by former President George H.W. Bush in the HUB-Robeson Center Friday morning (Oct. 29).
Dean served as Vermont's governor from 1991 to 2002, and recently made a bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. president. Since pulling out of the presidential race, Dean has formed a new organization, Democracy for America. The organization focuses on building progressive policies that will have positive impact on the country.
Prior to serving as governor, Dean was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives (1983-85) and lieutenant governor of the state (1986-1991).
The visit by Bush, who served as the 41st U.S. president from 1989 to 1992, was his third to Penn State. As president, he addressed a crowd of 20,000 people on Old Main lawn on Sept. 23, 1992, during his campaign for re-election. His first visit came in April 1980 -- just before the Pennsylvania primary election -- when he spoke in the HUB as part of what proved to be an unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
Bush was introduced by his granddaughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush. Opening remarks were offered by several Republican lawmakers and Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno.
For photos of Bush's visit, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2004_10_29_bush/index.html
For photos of Dean's visit, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2004_10_29_dean/index.html