USF shines in national spotlight during debate | News

TAMPA, Fla. -- Some would say there's no better place to be during a hotly contested political race than Florida.

All eyes are on this heated election as it unfolds in one of the most important states for a presidential candidate.

Right now, it's time to shine for the University of South Florida, as the school is hosting one of the last two debates before the state primary on January 31st.

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Nationally known for it's sports team and academia, USF is thrust into the headlines once again, and the country is watching as the campus takes center stage in American politics.

Michael Hoad is the vice president of USF Communications. He told 10 News, "We are at the right place at the right time. This is when I think people are trying to figure out how they're going to vote in the Republican primary, and we're right in the middle of it."

What people may not realize is that this is the third time in two years that USF has been featured on a national political stage.

Debate organizers are hoping forums like this will continue. Susan McManus is a USF Political Science professor and is thrilled for both her university and her students. "Educated people learn that it's a civic duty for you to become part of the political system and to participate and contribute," she says.

With a familiar Bulls hand gesture, she smiles wide and shows her school support, "So, I think it's a great great thing for USF. Go Bulls!"

Lindsay Lewis is a USF senior who may one day run for political office. She is helping to organize the debate through student government. She spent all day Monday running around campus for last minute preps. "There's a lot of excitement. We're very busy. The day has finally come, so we're really all excited for it to happen and see everything come to life," Lewis said.

The planning for this event began back in November when the university got the call that the Republicans were coming to campus.

What really seems to be exciting is what this does for political science students, allowing them to study history and live it. But, how many students are allowed inside the debate?

The seating is limited.  Only 20 seats are available for USF students. They were hoping for more, but the lack of space did not allow it. That's why the student government association spent $20,000 on a viewing party, from a $2 million dollar budget, that will take place in a tent across from the Marshall Center.

Michael Hoad said, "Many of the things people said to USF over the last 10 years, you know, you can't have Division 1 football, you'll never be great at research, you won't have star faculty and star staff. We're doing all of that now."