DANVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- In two weeks, a small college in a small town in Kentucky will become the center of the political universe. Centre College in Danville is preparing for the Vice Presidential Debate.
Normally, the Norton Center at Centre College hosts arts events such as concerts and plays. But in two weeks, it will stage a real-life political drama.
"At it's heart, it's a giant television show." And it's the job of Centre College professor and debate co-chair Clarence Wyatt to make sure the show goes on.
The auditorium is already being transformed into a sound stage, complete with booths for the network TV anchors.
No detail is being left to chance. "One of the requirements by the contract is to keep the area on the stage where the participants are seated at constant 68 degrees. But to do so at an air flow that does not rustle papers on the desk, does not move anybody's hair," said Wyatt.
This gymnasium will soon be a media filing center, with more than 500 phones. Technicians are connecting more than 14 miles of cable for that one room. "We've had to create a separate Internet system from our existing one, and then a backup system for that system," said Wyatt.
Areas of the campus are being fenced off for security reasons. But students seem willing to tolerate the inconvenience. "I think we all recognize that hosting a vice presidential debate is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and something that's a highlight of our college careers," said student government president Patrick Cho.
If nothing else, the debate will be a valuable learning experience for this politically active campus. "Like right now, I'm teaching a class on parties, campaign and elections, and so we have something everyday we can bring in, a real life example of what's going on and how this relates to our class topics," said Dr. Benjamin Knoll, professor of government.
This will be the second time around for Centre. It also hosted the VP debate in 2000.
"This is a way for us to tell our story to an international audience," said Wyatt.
This college is sometimes referred to as the Harvard of the South. But on October 11, even Harvard will take a back seat to Centre College.
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