By Steve Gilliam, University Relations
Connect: (336) 334-5371
Posted 4-30-08
Spartan TV manager Alan Buck (left) talks with candidate Jim Neal as Sen. Kay Hagan and Marcus Williams prepare to leave after the debate.
GREENSBORO, NC - UNCG’s own Spartan TV held one of the most sought-after political events of the state’s pre-primary election season on Tuesday, April 29, when it hosted Democratic candidates in this year’s U.S. Senate race.
With only a week to go before North Carolina’s May 6 primary, the debate drew four of the five candidates: N.C. Sen. Kay Hagan of Greensboro, Jim Neal from Chapel Hill, Dr. Howard Stanley from Moncure, and Marcus Williams from Lumberton. The primary winner will challenge incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole in November.
The debate drew news coverage from the Associated Press,and the Raleigh News & Observer, and was live-streamed on WFMY-TV News 2 and WGHP-TV Fox 8. Spartan TV is a closed circuit system that feeds directly into UNCG’s residence halls and other a few other locations on campus.
** Update - A stream of the Senate candidates debate is available for viewing on Spartan TV.
Station Manager Alan Buck secured the debate, which took place in the Spartan TV studio in the Carmichael TV Center. The building has a history of broadcasting, but has never hosted a U.S. Senate debate for candidates of either party. It served as a regional affiliate of UNC Television from the 1950s through the 1970s. Since the early 1980s it has been the teaching arm of the Department of Broadcasting & Cinema.
Student moderators were Chris Brown, the main anchor for Spartan TV’s UNCG Now; Micah Beasley, political correspondent for UNCG Now; and Luke McIntyre, editor of The Carolinian, the student newspaper. The debate will be produced by students currently involved with Spartan TV, and media studies majors.
Were the students nervous about the size and scope of the undertaking?
“Landing the debate was a real honor for Spartan TV and the students worked very hard to make it happen,” said Dr. David Cook, head of Broadcasting & Cinema. “They did a fine job that reflected very well on Spartan TV and the University. If they were nervous, it didn’t show.”
