BOCA RATON – Just weeks before the presidential election in 2012, the two candidates for the nation’s top office will square off in a debate – at Boca Raton’s Lynn University.
Lynn has been selected as the site of the final 2012 presidential debate by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). It will be held October 22, 2012.
The CPD is a nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation and has sponsored all general election presidential and vice presidential debates since 1988. Lynn was one of 12 sites nationwide, and the only institution in Florida, under consideration to host one of three presidential, or one vice presidential debates, produced by the CPD.
“Being an undergraduate or graduate student here on our campus when such an historic event takes place will provide a singular and unparalleled educational experience,” said Lynn University President, Kevin M. Ross.
The site has already hosted a Congressional District 22 debate in October 2010 between then-incumbent Ron Klein and Allen West.
Lynn University submitted its application to the Commission in January 2011 and hosted staff from the Commission on Presidential Debates over the summer for an on-site survey of the proposed debate venue and campus.
Lynn University received overwhelming and nearly unilateral support for its application from government officials at all levels, including the entire Florida Congressional Delegation, the Florida Cabinet, the leadership of the Florida Legislature, former Governor Jeb Bush, former Governor and Senator Bob Graham, Palm Beach County officials, Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel, and many others.
Preparing for an event of this magnitude will require the campus and community to come together now and organize for the arrival of the candidates, their campaign staff members, and thousands of national and international journalists expected to come to the area to cover the debate.
“It is a tremendous challenge, but Lynn University will be prepared to welcome the nation to Florida for the final debate before the 2012 general election,” Ross said.
A press conference to discuss the debate was scheduled this week at the site of the debate, Lynn’s Keith C. & Elaine Johnson World Performing Arts Center.
School officials said no additional comments about Lynn’s hosting of the debate would be made before the press conference.
A website for the 2012 presidential debate at Lynn University is currently under construction and will be live in the coming weeks.