Look around, Penn State: the campus has become a popular forum for debate in the past month -- and for more than just the usual "Natty Ice/Natty Lite" conundrum.

Our large university is attracting big-ticket events for the first time in quite a while. The last prominent political speaker we had was an appearance by President George W. Bush before he won the 2004 election.

Heck, even former presidential candidate Mike Gravel canceled his scheduled appearance last fall and sent his wife in his place (and we all see how that worked out for him).

In the next few weeks, Penn State will be hosting Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Ron Paul, Ann Coulter and a highly-contested same-sex commitment ceremony.

Last night, former President Bill Clinton spoke to a packed house in Rec Hall. Sunday, Illinois Sen. and presidential hopeful Barack Obama will be addressing a crowd of community members predicted to be 20,000 large. And Republican presidential nominee candidate Ron Paul has planned to appear on April 11 due to high demand from students.

Now is the time to seize this opportunity to carefully analyze the positions of the current presidential contenders-- from the mouths of the candidates themselves. You may not be a Barack Obama or a Bill Clinton fan, but it can't hurt to attend their speeches and thoughtfully consider their opinion on the state of our union.

And the opportunities extend beyond politics. On Saturday, State College Mayor Bill Welch will be presiding over a same-sex commitment ceremony in the HUB. On the same day, the Faith Baptist Church in Altoona will hold a "Family Values Rally" by Old Main. How often do you get the chance to analyze two wildly divergent viewpoints on a contentious issue, almost side by side?

This is a watershed moment, Penn State. The rivers of public debate, often so achingly distant, are all converging on State College this month. These events are free. Challenge yourself to attend, but not for the sake of merely saying you were there. Go with an open mind.

The worst that can happen is preconceived notions are proven to be true. Or it could be eye-opening experience well worth stepping out of your comfort zone.