The Journal

Issue date: 11/2/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Mariano Ulibarri Former Missouri Gov. Bob Holden started the Holden Public Policy Forum in early 2006. Holden's class is responsible for an election-night party Nov. 7 that will bring state and local politicians to campus.

Former Gov. Bob Holden will host an election party promising appearances by Missouri State Attorney General Jay Nixon and Congressman Russ Carnahan. The party will take place Nov. 7 in the University Center Sunnen Lounge from 6 to 11 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Christine Wells Eason, Webster media relations director, said both politicians are scheduled to make appearances at the party. Wells Eason said other politicians and campaign leaders would make call-ins throughout the night.

Holden has a special public relations class dedicated to helping him with his Public Policy Forum and the election party. The class contains eight students who each have their own role in planning the party.

Junior Rebecca Sweat, a public relations major, said the class has been challenging so far with preparing for the forums and the party. Sweat said the party would include snacks, games and multiple television screens to watch the coverage.

Sweat's main task for the semester was to write an article about Holden for Webster World magazine. For the article, Sweat traveled to Jefferson City twice to interview Holden's family and friends.

Senior Abby Heft, a public relations major, said while there were no more forums scheduled for this semester, the election party would give the students practice with special events planning.

"I really enjoy the experience, even if it's not a forum, of working with Gov. Holden," Heft said.

Heft said the class was hoping for 50 to 100 people to attend the election party throughout the night.

Holden has a topic for his forums each year. This year's topic was Healthy Futures and featured speakers who work with health care issues.

On May 10, 2006, Webster hosted its first speaker of the forum, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. The second forum was held May 31 and featured New York Times columnist Paul Krugman.

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