The Journalism Club of the University of Arkansas at Monticello announces “The South Arkansas Debate” to be held in the University Center Capitol Room Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

   Independent gubernatorial candidate Rod Bryan and Green Party gubernatorial candidate Jim Lendall agreed to participate in the only debate held south of Central Arkansas.

   “I am glad the Journalism Club is able to bring this debate to campus and give the community the opportunity to gain more insight into the campaigns,” Journalism Club President Brook Burger said. “It will be good for students and others to hear from two candidates that they, otherwise, may have never heard about. I think it's wonderful that Rod Bryan and Jim Lendall could find the time in their campaigns to visit our campus. Hopefully people will attend the event and feel compelled to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election.”

   The Journalism Club also extended invitations to Democrat candidate Mike Beebe and Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson, though the two previously indicated in press releases that they would only participate in scheduled debates that excluded Bryan and Lendall. The Journalism Club awaits a final determination on their availability.

   Beebe and Hutchison previously debated in Jonesboro, and plan to also debate Oct. 4 in Northwest Arkansas and Oct. 17 in Central Arkansas. Bryan and Lendall will also debate Oct. 22 in front of an Arkansas Educational Telecommunications Network audience at the University of Central Arkansas.

   “I think it's important to bring as many candidates as possible to college campuses because it encourages participation among an age group that oftentimes seems uninterested in the political process,” said Michael Ford, vice-president of the Journalism Club and editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Voice.

   The evening will begin with a 15-minute presentation on Act 1, the Arkansas Higher Education Technology and Facility Improvement Act, which would provide $4.1 million to help UAM update its campus. After the Act 1 presentation, moderator Scott Kuttenkuler will lead the candidates through an hour-long debate with a question-and-answer forum following.

   The Journalism Club encourages South Arkansas residents to attend and voice concerns on issues important to the region. For more information, contact Journalism Club adviser Ronald Sitton at sitton@uamont.edu.