On September 10, 2024, Klein College of Media and Communication hosted a live watch party for the 2024 presidential debate in Annenberg Hall. Over 200 Temple University students, faculty and staff attended the event in Tomlinson Theater with food, drinks and other esteemed professionals. News outlets, including The New York Times, Voice of America, 6abc Action News and TUTV - Temple University Television, were present to cover students' reactions and voices about the debate.
Klein College Dean David Boardman and Vice Dean of Student Success Maggie Lewis made opening remarks encouraging students to register to vote and make their voices heard.
“We're excited to be here together, and because we're at a college of media and communication, I would urge you all, especially those of you who are inclined to be watching not just for what the candidates say but for how they say it, and particularly the role of the journalists and moderators, whether, for instance, they choose to fact check,” said Boardman.
Professor of Journalism David Mindich spoke about the importance of swing states in the upcoming election and explained the states that needed to be won for a candidate to be victorious, including winning Pennsylvania. Students were given the opportunity to name their most important issues in this election, such as reproductive rights, the economy, international conflicts and more.
Robin Kolodny, professor of political science, expressed the significance of voting, especially in battleground states like Pennsylvania.
“Obviously, this debate will be important, but it may not be the way people think. Political science would tell us that there are probably not that many truly undecided people out there,” she said. “It’s more of a case of whether voters can motivate its supporters to get excited about their candidate.”
During the debate, guests were attentive to what the candidates had to say. Through the two-hour discussion, students were involved, reacting and calling out their thoughts in the theater.
“It was fun to be around other people and get my thoughts sorted out loud during such a bizarre debate - it made me feel saner," said junior journalism student Sidney Rochnik. “Politically, it went as I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the turnout at Klein.”
David W. Brown, Klein College’s assistant dean for community and communications, offered some final remarks to attendees.
“A lot of folks are not yet registered, and if you're going to vote, get yourself registered, get yourself educated, and then get engaged to do it. Because here's the thing: if you don't vote, you don't count. Your lack of action is an action,” Brown stated. “As you're here tonight, you're investing your time to see what you're about to make a decision on.”