For the first time the Mississippi State University College
Republicans will host the annual President’s Day Dinner tomorrow
night on campus.
The dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. with a “Welcome Amy
Reception” to welcome new Republican, Lt. Governor Amy Tuck and
will feature Republican Gubernatorial candidate Haley Barbour.
“I’m hoping it will be a good, educational experience for
students and citizens–both of these speakers are high-profile
individuals and I’m expecting a great turnout,” chairman of College
Republicans Jamey Cresswell said.
Last year was the first year for Oktibbeha County Republicans to
host the event and now the group is helping the College Republicans
host it.
“I see it as a time for awareness, a time to meet one another
and hear candidates speak. We are pleased it is on the MSU campus,”
Bob Daniels, chairman of Oktibbeha Republican Party, said.
Daniels will be participating in the night’s events as he will
give the year’s review in a brief report on local Republicans and
highlights in the last year.
Daniels and Cresswell both stress it is an event for anyone
interested in and supportive of the Republican Party.
“Students are welcome to attend,” Daniels said.
“This event can benefit students by getting to hear major
candidate for governor Haley Barbour, network with officials and
get hands-on experience with the democratic process in general,”
Daniels said.
Barbour is a MSU alumn and has spent much of his time coming
back to campus for speaking engagements and events such as these,
Daniels said. Barbour is a two-term chairman of the republican
national committee and spent time in Washington’s White House as
political director during Reagan’s term.
“He’s a hometown boy from Yazoo City and has spent his days in
the nation’s capital,” Daniels said. “Let’s just say when he calls
President Bush, Bush calls him back.”
The Haley Barbour Scholarship, named after him four or five
years ago, is available to juniors and seniors at MSU.
William M. Wiseman, director of the Stennis Center at MSU, said
most people give Barbour credit for being the the “architect of the
Republican Revolution that turned politics into the Republican
majority.”
Cresswell said he thinks Barbour will focus on higher education
in his address at the dinner. Cresswell said that is another reason
for students to attend the event.
“He will be looking to see what kind of leadership is out there
for higher education and I encourage students to attend for this
purpose,” Cresswell said.
Tuck, a recently announced Republican, will also be featured at
the President’s Day Dinner.
“Tuck has not yet been congratulated by our local organizations
and it is nice we are able to do that Saturday night,” Daniels
said.
Tuck is only the second woman to be named republic lieutenant
governor.
Cresswell said the College Republicans has worked hard to plan
this event as well as host these individuals. The College
Republicans is an on-campus organization that includes
approximately 200 members. Proceeds from Saturday’s dinner will go
to the organization’s annual convention. To learn more about MSU’s
College Republican organization, go to www.msstate.edu/org/cr.
Tickets are $10 for MSU students, $25 for others and dress is
business casual. Tickets may be reserved by calling 323-3800 or
through Jamey Cresswell at 324-3435. Today is the last day to
purchase tickets. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Bost
Extention Center and will conclude at 8 p.m. or shortly after.
“I think having this event on campus is a great way to get
people involved, discuss major issues and host speakers on campus,”
Cresswell said. “I hope we can continue to hold such events in the
future.”