Student Life

Issue date: 5/5/08 Section: News

Media Credit: David Brody SWA protester Nikhil Kothegal speaks to a crowd of supporters at an SWA rally in April 2005. Later that day, four SWA members entered the chancellor's office and refused to leave until they were granted access to the University Council meeting that day and a meeting with Chancellor Mark Wrighton immediately after.

The 2004-2005 school year was one of transformation and change. From events of national importance, including the presidential debate and election, to campus-centric protests with the recent Student Worker Alliance sit-in, St. Louis and Washington University spent the year in the spotlight.

Washington University began the 2004-2005 school year as the host of a 2004 presidential debate between Democratic contender John Kerry and Republican incumbent President George W. Bush. Leading up to the big event, the University transformed the Athletic Complex, installed state-of-the-art communication and put in extra security to prepare for the grand event.

Bush's advisory team put the debate in jeopardy at the last minute when it became hesitant to participate in the event. Following Bush's announcement, Chris Heinz, Kerry's stepson, visited the campus to assure the University that his stepfather might still appear on campus even if Bush rejected the scheduled debate. The Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed that both candidates had committed to participate in three debates, including the Oct. 8 debate at the University.

During the week of Oct. 8, 2004, the campus transformed into a political campground, attracting national media attention from MSNBC prime time show "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and CNN's prime debate coverage featuring Paula Zahn, Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer. Students witnessed the fervor of the 2004 election year on their very own campus.

Almost one month after the debate, on Nov. 4, 2004, the nation reelected President Bush into office. While Bush took the state of Missouri, St. Louis remained a blue dot in the mostly red sea of Missouri.

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