From the Project Director
“The Road to the White House Starts at Western Illinois University” is a collaborative effort that involves scores of faculty, staff, students, alumni and volunteers. Special thanks are in order to the following persons:
- President Al Goldfarb, for his exemplary leadership in promoting and funding civic education and engagement across the campus;
- Dr. Joe Rallo, former Provost, for his early support for this project;
- Dean Inessa Levi, for her early encouragement and continuous leadership throughout the entire process — she made this project possible;
- Dr. John Hemingway, for initially inspiring the project and unselfishly committing countless hours to organizing and administering the simulation so that thousands of students can understand and appreciate the value of civic participation;
- Ms. Pam Mainland, for her boundless energy, positive attitude, and enthusiastic support — she assembled a team that transformed ideas into realities;
- Ms. Shanee Sullivan, for creating and overseeing original graphic designs that helped showcase our great university;
- Dr. John Maguire, for his sage advice and unwavering support of this project;
- Dr. Aimee Shouse, for the long hours of organizing faculty members and assigning and distributing badges;
- Professors Jan Clough and Susan Czechowski, two renowned artists, for devoting many hours to portray visually the presidential candidates and showcase our university’s exceptional fine arts program;
- Dr. John Wozniak, for encouraging and organizing professors and students to engage in experiential learning;
- Ms. Julia Remes, WIU’s 2007 Lincoln Laureate, for organizing and shepherding the Campaign Managers and Field Workers over the course of many months;
- Professors Jongho Lee, Janna Deitz and David Connelly, for developing, implementing and analyzing our survey research instruments;
- Ms. Debbie Wiley, the driving force in the Political Science Department, for steering us in the right direction and keeping our academic train on track;
- Ms. Bonnie Barker, Ms. Darcie Shinberger and Mr. Jeff Dodd, three great word crafters, who helped publicize and spotlight the project with great flare;
- Mr. Donald R. Strohecker, for his leadership in overseeing the physical production of the project;
- Dr. Sharon Evans, for her creativity, sound advice and leadership in producing and delivering the gavel-to-gavel televised broadcast of this event;
- Professors Bill Knight, Lisa Barr, Mark Butzow & Lisa Kernek, four gifted writers, for producing our mock newspaper and engaging and inspiring dozens of budding journalists;
- Dean Paul K. Kreider, my favorite vocalist, for singing the National Anthem and offering support from the College of Fine Arts;
- Mr. Mike Dickson, college basketball great and computer guru, for his technical advice and support;
- Mr. Jeremy Merritt, Electronic Student Services webmaster, for designing, creating and editing the Mock Election website;
- Ms. Natalie Adcock, our production liaison, for helping us connect the administrative dots;
- Mr. Mike Taylor, for his technical knowledge and support in televising the project;
- Keri Allison, the Public Functions Supervisor, for countless assistance in preparing for all of the events in the Union’s Grand Ballroom;
- Bridget Hiel, the Conference Coordinator, for her invaluable assistance in preparing and overseeing the events in Western Hall;
- Director Doug Phillips and the great WIU Marching Band, for superior entertainment;
- Pi Sigma Alpha members, for filling leadership roles;
- WIU Campaign Managers, Field Workers, Journalists and Delegates, for demonstrating that our very best students can compete with the very best anywhere; and
- Linda M. Hardy, for typing and assisting myriad aspects of yet another political campaign.
However, I accept full responsibility for any glitches and all mistakes in this project. Here’s to Western, my alma mater, a great university!
Rick Hardy
Project Director
Western Illinois University
October 15, 2007
