Former President Bill Clinton will appear at 8 p.m. tomorrow at Rec Hall to address Penn State students about "Solutions for America," the Clinton campaign said last night.
In preparation for the event, Pennsylvania for Hillary will be participating in a sign-making party and phone bank at 7 tonight at her State College campaign office, 1318 W. College Ave.
The former president has visited Penn State twice, once in 1996 and again in 2000.
Samantha Miller, spokeswoman for the Penn State College Democrats, said she is looking forward to Bill Clinton's speech and hopes he talks not only of the campaign for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., but also his experience in the White House.
"This is what I feel is going to be the first of a long line of big names coming to campus," she said. "He's probably the president who was in office when we were in elementary school learning about what a president is. It's probably going to be somewhat meaningful to a lot of people."
Eric Plutzer, a political science professor, said he believes the campaigns will be reaching out to voters throughout the state.
"Given that the Pennsylvania primary is in play, I think former President Clinton and Senator Clinton and Senator Obama are going to be all over the state," he said. "They will be at many college campuses, many high schools and many other civic venues."
Sean Leonard (junior-animal bioscience), spokesman for Penn State Students for Hillary, said he thinks it is a good move for Hillary Clinton's campaign because it will raise awareness.
"I know he came a couple of years ago," Leonard said. "I think people will go to see him no matter who they're voting for in the election. It should go over really well, and I'm kind of anxious to see whether people will be persuaded by what he says."
In 1996, Bill Clinton spoke at the Graduate School commencement at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Last year, university spokeswoman Annemarie Mountz said preparation for such an event requires a White House team to check out the facility.
"The Secret Service comes in, and they check out the venues and determine what security is needed," she said at the time.
In 2000, Bill Clinton attended a National Governor's Association meeting held at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, 215 Innovation Blvd.
During both of his visits, Bill Clinton visited the Creamery, where he was the only person to ever have been allowed to mix two different flavors of ice cream -- Peachy Paterno and Cherry Quist, according to Collegian archives.
Heather Heusey (junior-marketing) is registered as a Republican, but said she would go see Bill Clinton speak.
"I think it would draw a lot of people because he is a former president," Heusey said. "It's exciting for a little town like this. It's nice to think we're being included."
Meg Dowd (junior-education) was unaware Clinton was making a stop in State College tomorrow, but said she would consider going to hear him speak.
"My mom said he's a good speaker," Dowd said. "I'm not necessarily a supporter of the Clinton campaign, but I'm intrigued to hear what he has to say."
