Brenau University Plans to Host Georgia Gubernatorial Candidates’ Debate October 10

Democratic candidate Roy Barnes, former Georgia governor, and Republican Nathan Deal, former long-term congressman for north Georgia’s 9th Congressional District, have tentatively agreed to participate.

Gainesville, Ga (Vocus) August 11, 2010

Both the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor of Georgia have tentatively agreed to participate an Oct. 10 debate in Pearce Auditorium at Brenau University.

Democratic candidate Roy Barnes, former governor, and Republican Nathan Deal, former long-term congressman for north Georgia’s 9th Congressional District, both received formal letters of invitation from the university following informal discussions with university officials. Barnes won the Democratic primary three weeks ago. Deal cemented his nomination in Tuesday’s Republican runoff against Karen Handel.

The university plans to open the 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. program for statewide broadcast.

“The university in general and Brenau University in particular serves as the proverbial ‘big tent’ that is large enough to accommodate the widest possible range of ideas and opinions,” said Brenau President Ed Schrader. “That environment is a perfect setting for an open, candid discussion of issues that are important to this state and region by two strong, thoughtful leaders who have spent decades of their lives in public service.”

Brenau Senior Vice President Jim Barco, coordinator for the debate, said details and final format for the program will be announced later. The university is arranging a well-known, impartial public figure to serve as moderator.

"We see this as part of our role of public service for the Gainesville community and the entire state,” said Barco. “We also see it as a great learning opportunity for our students, demonstrating to them the importance of their long-term engagement with the responsibilities of citizenship.”

Although Deal is a Gainesville resident and Barnes is from Mableton in the Atlanta suburbs, Barco said the university is taking special pains to ensure there is no “home-court advantage” for one candidate over the other.

About Brenau – Founded in 1878, Brenau University currently enrolls about 2,800 students in graduate, undergraduate and preparatory programs on campuses and online. The main campus of the Georgia-based liberal arts institution, which includes the Brenau Women’s College, is in Gainesville with campuses in Augusta, Kings Bay and in two metro Atlanta locations, Norcross and Fairburn. Brenau’s 2010 ranking as one of the top 10-best higher education values in the Southeast by U.S. News & World Report marks the university’s fifth consecutive year in that position for the magazine’s America's Best Colleges guidebook. Brenau University also has been cited as one of the best colleges and universities to work for by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

###