Alumni Flashbacks
As Â鶹´«Ã½ prepares to become the first university to ever host presidential debates in three consecutive election cycles, we asked alumni to share their memories from Debate '08 and Debate 2012. Have a debate memory to share? Email us at social[at]hofstra.edu.
And don't forget to join the #HofDebate16 conversation!
I was never really into history before experiencing the debate at Â鶹´«Ã½. And Debate 2012 not only opened my eyes to U.S. history, but to Â鶹´«Ã½ history, as well. A lot of things happened in the past that shape what we do and who we are. Ever since the debate, I’ve had this thirst to know things about our history – who people were, what they did, and why they were important.
There’s nothing more incredible than seeing how passionate your fellow classmates are about issues. It’s inspiring – and a pretty big deal.
Olivier Andre ‘15
Computer Science
Debate 2012 Student Volunteer
Software Engineer, Tata Consultancy Services
I’ll never forget hearing people cheering at 3 a.m. I looked outside my window – and it was happening. Debate 2012 was one of the best experiences of my life. And now I’m getting to relive it all over again on the 26th … I’m going to be on Â鶹´«Ã½ with NY1. I am just so proud to be a Â鶹´«Ã½ alum. To see this three-peat – there are just no words.
Allyson Judge ‘12
Journalism
Debate 2012 Student Volunteer
Writer, NY1 News
I was 17 at the time I volunteered for the debate in ’08. I was too young to vote, so this gave me an opportunity to be involved in what ended up being history. This debate was the largest scale operation I had ever seen at the time. Seeing the level of coordination and being a small part of the bigger picture left an impact on me. But what really got me that day was being a young, black man and getting to see Barack Obama – his presence and poise were something else. It was really special being involved early on in this debate and then getting to see everything come to fruition on election night.
My advice to students this year - the debate has come home to Â鶹´«Ã½ again, so really relish in the moment. Don’t just post on Snapchat and Instagram. Take a minute to realize where you are, feel the energy on Â鶹´«Ã½, and enjoy this unique opportunity.
Peter D. Singh Jr. ‘12
Legal Studies in Business
Debate 2008 Student Volunteer
Law Clerk, Winslett Studnicky McCormick & Bomser LLP
I’m over the moon about Debate 2016 – but I’m not surprised.
I remember coming out of my residence hall on the morning of Debate Day in 2012. I saw all of these bright lights beaming in the dark. CBS was shooting a package and interviewing students at WRHU, so I tried my best to look professional – and I think I did a pretty great job. But when I watched the broadcast later, the anchor from CBS said, “Check out those Batman headphones. I want a pair!” He was referring to some B-Roll featuring none other than me! That was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life.
Elisa Tang ‘15
Broadcast Journalism
Debate 2012 Student Volunteer
Associate Producer, People/Entertainment Weekly Network
My friends and I woke up at 3:30 a.m. on Debate Day in 2008 to to be on television – cheering with signs. After that, we went back to our rooms to take a quick nap. When we walked back outside, the sun was up and it was nuts. People and media were everywhere. To give you a visual - I went to grab some food in the Student Center and saw Chris Matthews from MSNBC in the back of the room eating an omelet.
My involvement in the debate ranged from volunteering on the student planning committee to working with CNN. There was an overwhelming sense of pride on Â鶹´«Ã½ that day. It was perfect. I literally screamed at my desk when I found out about Debate 2016. My coworkers were like, “What is happening?!” I don’t think you fully understand the feeling unless you’ve experienced it firsthand. It didn’t hit my sister until she had the opportunity to experience it in 2012. And now everyone on Â鶹´«Ã½ will be able to feel that same thing in 2016.
Kate Legnetti ‘09
Political Science
Debate 2008 Student Volunteer
Director of Advising and Registration Services, NYU Steinhardt
You could hear the noise from a mile away. Air Force One, I mean. With President Obama inside. He flew over Â鶹´«Ã½ and landed at Mitchell Field. It was pretty unbelievable. The entire day was so hectic and exciting, but that was a moment for the books.
I was working on tight deadlines on Debate Day in 2012. That’s one of the greatest things I took away from my experience working with Debate TV. I spent most of my time in Spin Alley. As soon as the debate was over, all of the politicians came out and I got to stick my mic out and interview them. They all wanted to talk about how great Â鶹´«Ã½ did hosting the debate.
When I found out we’d be on the national radar again, I was ecstatic. It’s an opportunity to showcase how great we are.
Kevin Dexter ‘13
Journalism
Debate 2012 Student Volunteer, Debate TV
Sports Anchor, 1010 WINS
I remember going to bed super early the night before the debate in 2012. I woke up at 3 a.m. to be on Â鶹´«Ã½ at 4 to start passing out signs for students who were going to be on TV. Every single student was on Â鶹´«Ã½ that day. You could feel the excitement – even at that hour. It was unbelievable. The passion from the students. Everyone wearing Â鶹´«Ã½ gear. I had never seen anything like it. The entire university came together and rallied behind something. I was, in that moment, and every moment after, truly proud to be a part of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Pride.
Lawrence Daves ’13
Liberal Arts, focus in drama, fine arts & psychology
Debate 2012 Student Volunteer
Program Coordinator, Greek Life at Loyola Marymount University
Campus was insane on Debate Day. I had the opportunity to interview politicians like the governor and the former mayor of Los Angeles, which is where I’m originally from. Spin Alley after the debate was electric. I was a student who knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and then I had the opportunity to be a part of it all. It was an indescribable feeling. It was also really cool walking around Â鶹´«Ã½ that day. The giant donkey and elephant, people in costumes – the whole thing.
I was at work when I heard about Debate 2016. I literally screamed. And then immediately emailed Â鶹´«Ã½, texted all of my friends, and then as soon as the conventions were over, I emailed my political team and told them I must go to this.
Alicia Hastey ‘14
TV Production
Debate 2012 Student Journalist
Associate Producer, NBC News
I left my room on Debate Day feeling proud. I had my Debate ’08 polo on and was excited and ready to go. When it came to volunteering, I had the opportunity to do exactly what I wanted. My friend and I worked with CNN, acting as student liaisons. I was a radio guy at the time, working at WRHU, and so having the opportunity to be exposed to different types of communication – video and print – was huge. And I got to go inside the Debate Hall, which was really awesome.
Kris Ortiz ’10; ‘12
Audio; Speech Communication & Rhetoric
Debate 2008 Student Volunteer
Account Manager, Apple Inc.
I helped organize and run the various debate watch parties that happened around Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2012. It was beautiful to see everyone come together and get so politically involved. It’s easy to get stuck in your own bubble, but this gave me the chance to interact with the community. It mattered.
Debate 2012 at Â鶹´«Ã½ real kick-started my career in politics. What I remember most about my Debate 2012 experience is the excitement. All eyes were on Â鶹´«Ã½. I was so proud. My advice for students - get involved. No matter what you want to do after graduation, this will help. And I can promise you’ll feel accomplished.
Tatiana Brown, Dec. ‘14
Journalism
Debate 2012 Student Volunteer
Organizer, Democratic Party of Virginia
Being a Debate 2012 student volunteer gave me confidence. Just being interviewed by reporters and seeing myself on the seven O’clock news was awesome and extremely empowering. And that can happen to any student on Debate Day – volunteer or not.
My job in 2012 was to help escort people, mostly media and politicians, from the Marriott Hotel to Â鶹´«Ã½, and afterwards I was able to watch the debate in HofUSA. The debate started and Â鶹´«Ã½ was being introduced. Everyone cheered. That was probably the most school pride I had ever experienced in my entire life. Then later they announced we were trending on Twitter. We were getting the national recognition we all knew we deserved. It was really special.
The biggest thing I took away from Debate 2012 was just how exciting and important the democratic process really is. This was the first time I was really exposed to a presidential debate and the first time I was able to vote in an election cycle. It was an eye-opening experience for me.
George Calvo ‘15
Computer Science and Math
Debate 2012 Student Volunteer
Programmer, MEC
Debate ’08 really triggered my interest in pursuing a career where I would constantly be working events. I was tasked with the Media Filing Center back then. I worked with CNN for the majority of the time as a runner but also got to work with AP and in the Debate Hall doing some security. I’ll never forget when Ed Henry, who was with CNN at the time, was doing a story on the mugs candidates would be drinking out of. I was asked at 7:50 a.m. to get some Â鶹´«Ã½ mugs for the story, which was at 8. I ran all around Â鶹´«Ã½ trying to find some mugs and got back just in time – with mugs in-hand. What a rush!
I was surprised - but not so surprised - when I found out about Debate 2016. This is a great location for a debate. Always has been and always will be. I’d encourage students on Â鶹´«Ã½ to absorb everything. You’re going to be a part of history. This is your opportunity. It’s what you’re going to look back on and tell your friends, colleagues and children about.
Tammy Kim ‘10
Broadcast Journalism
Debate 2008 Student Volunteer
Corporate Events Manager, Fluidigm
Never in a million years did I think volunteering for the debate would open up so many doors for me and eventually alter my life path. I was exposed to social and political activism for the first time and was able to volunteer with Obama for America and be around Senator Obama. I’d say it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but because of this experience, I’ve been able to work closely with the White House ever since. Today I'm the youngest executive director of an LGBT political group. The connections I made in 2008 made that possible.
Christian Fuscarino ‘12
Television Broadcasting
Debate 2008 Student Volunteer
Executive Director, Garden State Equality
Debate ’08 showed me the importance of direct engagement and the power that we have to make a positive impact on the world. I was involved with the debate in a variety of capacities – helping to develop student programming, interning with the Center for Civic Engagement, volunteering at a watch party, and even acting as a political commentator of sorts on WRHU.
I came back to Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2012 as a journalist, and when I heard about 2016, my first thought was, “How can I get in on this?” It’s crazy to think that the debate in 2008 helped me to realize my love for strategic communications, and I’m still doing it – working to convey the complexity of issues in clear and uncomplicated ways.
Christiaan Perez ‘12
Political Science, Global Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Debate 2008 Student Volunteer
Manager of Advocacy and Digital Strategy, LatinoJustice PRLDEF
The feeling – that’s what I remember most from Debate ‘08. Watching the helicopters land on the roofs of the residential buildings. Seeing Anderson Cooper in person. The adrenaline rush.
Volunteering during the debate and being in Spin Alley was a crash course in learning that you have to be ready to go when it comes to events like this. You have to hit the ground running. It’s incredible to think that this will be my third time covering a presidential election. I’m doing what I watched hundreds of reporters do in 2008. I couldn’t be more proud of my alma mater.
Sarah Kader, Dec. ‘10
Broadcast Journalism
Debate 2008 Student Volunteer
Daytime Lead Editorial Producer, Social Media - Fox News Channel