The Big Winner of the Finale is… Boca Raton
“We haven’t heard of you either” read the shirts made by Lynn University’s students as they embraced the private university’s low profile leading up to the final presidential debate on Monday.
Lynn University, a private school with 2,100 students, had about 3,000 media members, dozens of satellite trucks, and the entire world, with over 800 international media members, watching on Monday.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Lynn University President Kevin Ross told the audience in the school’s preforming arts before the debate began.
After months of preparation and a $5 million investment, Lynn University finally got its close-up to the world. “You can’t buy that kind of coverage for just about any amount of money,” said Todd Bonlarron, Palm Beach County’s legislative affairs director.
Former presidential candidates John McCain, John Kerry and Rudy Giuliani all made appearances at “spin alley”, the place where the 3,000 media members were gathered, and around the temporary TV studios that popped up on campus.
MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews filmed live from the University with the preforming arts center as the backdrop, “Every political newsmaker, all the guys we see on television, are here tonight,” said Tony Nelson.
Nelson, who watched the debate from the Lynn University Soccer fields in the “Red White and View” watch party, brought along his wife and 13-year-old son for a look at an event that made Boca the epicenter of the political world for an evening.
Lynn student Gabriela Regalado said the debate dominated life on campus for months.
“We’ve been preparing since a year ago,” Regalado said. “It’s been quite a process.”
Regalado, a senior communications major from Honduras, acknowledged that Lynn isn’t exactly a household name, but she said the debate will help change that.
“It brings a lot of recognition for the school,” Regalado said. “We didn’t do it for that reason, but it’s a great opportunity to get our name out there.”
Andrea Schutte, a Lynn student from South Africa, said her parents would wake at 3 a.m. local time to watch the event.
“It’s exciting,” she said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Lynn canceled classes on Monday, and most of the student body was at an afternoon pool party inside the university where they were swarmed by reporters from all over the country. Schutte said she wasn’t bothered by the journalists swarming the pool with notepads and cameras “It’s not annoying,” she said. ”It’s a privilege to have everybody on campus.”
The day after the debate was still a busy one for Boca Raton. The MSNBC news and talk show, “Morning Joe,” was broadcast both Monday and Tuesday live from Racks Downtown Eatery and Tavern in Mizner Park. Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel and Councilwoman Constance Scott were in attendance on Tuesday morning.
