As the sun rose on Oxford September 26, no one on campus or in Oxford could escape the feeling of elation, which was captured in an editorial that day in The Daily Mississippian.

“Today, we hold our heads high as we assume our rightful place among the select institutions of higher learning deemed worthy to be graced with such an honor,” read the editorial. “Today, we stand hand in hand with our brothers and sisters of every race to show the world how far we’ve come. Today, we celebrate our progress. Today, we celebrate our sunrise. Today, we celebrate Ole Miss.”

It seemed as if nearly everyone in the Lafayette-Oxford-University community participated in some aspect of debate activities, whether or not they were lucky enough to be among those credentialed for access inside the debate hall perimeter. Protected by chain-link fencing, the area inside the perimeter included the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, where the debate itself was held, the Music Building and a massive temporary structure for the media.

Working inside the 25,000-square-foot white tent were print and broadcast journalists who had traveled to Oxford from as far away as Boston, Los Angeles, Japan and Russia, along with Ole Miss staff who were there to meet the visitors’ needs. Each part of the university’s operation ran as smoothly as a well-tuned engine. Technical staff handled thousands of arriving journalists with ease as media relations staff guaranteed questions were answered and interview requests fulfilled. Student workers dashed around the perimeter assisting both the university and the dozens of television producers setting up shop on “Spin Alley,” while university catering staff prepared enough food and beverages to feed the multitudes. Most worked countless hours, coming together to provide an experience that many journalists described as being unlike any other debate they experienced.

Rock the Debate, a daylong festival, drew thousands of alumni, students and locals to the Grove, where they listened to live music, found out about more about issues being discussed in the presidential campaign and, that evening, viewed the debate on large screens set up on the Grove stage. The Oxford Square also buzzed with excitement as people browsed local shops and took advantage of additional large screens broadcasting the debate live.

The commitment to provide opportunities for everyone was, in fact, one of the reasons that Ole Miss was selected. The university went beyond the requirements of the application, Commission on Presidential Debates senior adviser Peter Eyre said.
“It was apparent that Ole Miss was going to make this a much bigger event,” he said.

In the media tent, university staff and vendors were overwhelmed with emotion when television monitors showed presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain walking onto the Ford Center stage. There was a collective sigh of relief as months of anxiety melted into a moment of satisfaction and joy.

Ole Miss student Lizzy Hyde, who earned one of the coveted tickets to the debate, expressed the feelings of many when she said, “I will never forget the experience. Never. I will tell my grandchildren about being there.

“I was very, very, very proud to be a part of this university, to be a part of a place that put so much effort and so much time into hosting the debate.”