YSU Panels plan to discuss debates

YOUNGSTOWN -- A panel of Youngstown State University faculty and members of the press will discuss the debate between President Bush and U.S. Sen. John Kerry from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the Gallery of YSU's Kilcawley Center.
"The Presidential Debates through the Eyes of the Media" is the focus of the discussion. Panelists will be Daniel O'Neill, professor and chairman, YSU communication and theater; Mona Alexander, news director, WFMJ Channel 21; Jim Michaels, reporter, Clear Channel Radio, WKBN 570; Sunil Ahuja, assistant professor; and Paul Sracic, associate professor, both of the YSU political science department.
The discussion is part of YSU's third annual Freshman Readers Dialogue, a yearlong program intended to encourage conversation through a common piece of literature.
"The Vanishing Voter" by Thomas E. Patterson, the Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy's School of Government, was selected as this year's book. Patterson speaks at noon Oct. 18 in Kilcawley Center's Chestnut Room.
Another discussion has been scheduled on the vice-presidential debate for Oct. 14 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Kilcawley Center's Ohio Room, with participants to be announced. All the events are free and open to the public.