Convocations Hosts Bipartisan Debate Between Two Washington Insiders

Published: August 29, 2016 | Author: Bryan Paul | Read Time: 3 minutes

As the nation prepares for Election Day in November, SUU remains committed to fostering a learning community that encourages students to stay informed and engaged in the political process. To this end, Southern Utah University proudly welcomes two highly respected Washington insiders to discuss the major political issues in the 2016 election.

Mr. Timothy Keating is Senior Vice President for The Boeing Company, the largest aerospace company in the world. Prior to joining Boeing, Mr. Keating was Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton. Hon. Bud Albright is a Principal at Ogilvy Government Relations and was formerly Undersecretary of Energy in the Administration of President George W. Bush. On Friday, September 9th, Mr. Keating and Mr. Albright will take center stage before students, faculty and community members in the SUU Auditorium in an event sponsored by SUU Convocations and co-sponsored by the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Political Science & Public Service and the SUU Dept. of Political Science & Criminal Justice.

"We all deserve the opportunity to see a well-informed political discussion conducted without vitriol and fear-mongering," said Professor Doug Bennett, Chair of the Dept. of Political Science & Criminal Justice. "Tim Keating and Bud Albright are two of the best Washington has to offer, and I'm delighted they would travel to Cedar City to join us. Both have experience at the highest levels of the Executive and Legislative branches of government. Each of our guests enjoys the admiration and respect of his peers, within his respective party and across the aisle."

Mr. Tim Keating served the Administration of President Bill Clinton in numerous capacities following a distinguished career as staff in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs and directed logistics for the Democratic National Conventions in Los Angeles (2000) and Boston (2004). Prior to joining The Boeing Company, Mr. Keating served as Senior Vice President at Honeywell where he directed the company's office of Global Government Relations. Before Honeywell, Mr. Keating was Chairman of the Board at Timmons and Co, one of Washington's premier government relations firms.

Hon. Bud Albright is a well-known Washington professional, having served as Chief of Staff for the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the U.S. House of Representatives, Asst. U.S. Attorney for VA, Deputy General Counsel at the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, and Undersecretary of Energy in the Administration of George W. Bush. Hon. Albright is now Principal at Ogilvy Government Relations and previously was head of the Washington D.C. office of CenterPoint Energy.

This first convocation of the new school year is but the beginning of SUU’s efforts to keep students engaged this election cycle. From September 12 to September 15, the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics & Public Service will run a Voter Registration Drive to help students get registered and get excited about the upcoming election. This initiative is part of the university’s larger effort to win the national Voter Friendly Campus designation.

As with all of SUU’s convocations, the bipartisan debate between Keating and Albright is free and open to the general public. The event will include a public Q&A and be followed by a reception, during which time campus and community members will have the opportunity to interact with both political advocates.

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