Monday, February 18, 2008
Provost Bennett will moderate Super Thursday at USI
 A teacher at Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, instilled Dr. Linda Bennett, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, with a love for political science. Bennett was a senior, the class was “Sino-Soviet Totalitarianism,” and the teacher, Harriett Russell, “was one of those outstanding high school teachers,” Bennett said. “I have a picture in my office of the class picture we took from that class.” Bennett graduated from high school in 1970. In the fall she entered the University of Cincinnati, which had been shut down that spring because of anti-war riots. “It was a very political time,” she said. Her passion for politics emerged at a time when it spoke to youth. “I don’t think our national political system has addressed the needs of young people in a long time. I think that’s part of the excitement around the Obama candidacy," she said. She went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees and the Ph.D. in political science at Cincinnati and has made a career in academia as a faculty member and administrator at Wittenberg University, Northern Kentucky University, and Appalachian State University before joining USI. While with Wittenberg, she was called upon by WHIO TV in Dayton to provide political analysis during the 1992 presidential race. She offered regular commentary on the air through the 1994 mid-term election. “I learned a lot,” she said. “Everyone should have the experience - especially in academe - of communicating through the mass media. It helped me with public presentation to be more concise and clear, and connect with the audience.” Those skills will be on display on Thursday, February 28, when Bennett moderates “Super Thursday Presidential Election Commentary with Mark Shields and William Kristol” as part of the University Core Curriculum Lecture Series. Dr. Mark Krahling, director of the University Core, said this is a particularly good time to bring two such experienced political analysts to campus. “We’re in a unique, almost unprecedented, election cycle and both of these individuals have the insight to help students from Indiana better understand the dynamics of this national election year,” he said. Bennett said, “I was thrilled when Mark said that he was bringing these two speakers to campus,” Bennett said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to have a good discussion as we move ahead with the most important position in this country.” Bennett teaches a course in American Politics at USI. “I go into these classes with a strong sense of mission,” she said. “We must pay attention to what’s going on with our political system. We must get our students interested and involved. What’s great about this race is that when it’s competitive, it raises interest.” Super Thursday with Shields and Kristol will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Carter Hall in the University Center. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Krahling at 812/464-1712. |
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