Convention Program Information

Mock Convention 2020

Gray Chapel – February 21-22, 2020

The Mock Convention brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni, elected officials, and community members (all with a variety of different beliefs and interests) to debate a party platform and candidate for whichever political party is currently out of power. Join us this year for a Democratic Convention, in which we will take on the roles of Democratic Party members and debate the potential future of the Party. The 2016 Republican Mock Convention nominated former Governor of Ohio, John Kasich, and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, for Present and Vice President, respectively.

Along with speeches from invited guests, musical performances and videos, Friday evening will be devoted to a discussion of the platform, with Saturday devoted to the nomination of candidates:

Day 1 (Friday, February 21, 2020)

• 3 p.m. – Open Reception and Check-In (University Hall Lobby, Gray Chapel)
• 4 p.m. – Call to Order
  • Parliamentarian, William Louthan, Professor of Politics and Government
  • National Anthem – OWU JAYwalkers
  • Invocation – Rev. Bob Abrams, Assistant to the Bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  • Pledge of Allegiance – Greg Margevicius, WCSA President
  • Installation of Convention Chairs – Valorie Schwarzmann '81, Mallorie Watts, and Ahmed Hamed
  • Opening Message – David Pepper, Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party
  • Rules and Credentials – Greg Margevicius
  • Statement – Joyce Beatty, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 3rd Congressional District
  • Platform Preview – Dylan Hays
• 5:45 p.m. – Dinner for Delegates (Hamilton-Williams Campus Center, Benes Rooms)
  • Marching Band Interlude
• 7 p.m. – Convention Resumes
  • Musical Performance – Pitch Black
  • Platform Video Messages – Sherrod Brown, Senator from Ohio and Mary King '62
  • Report on the Platform – Platform Committee
  • Platform Debate

Day 2 (Saturday, February 22, 2020)

• 8:30 a.m. – Continental Breakfast (University Hall Lobby)
• 9:15 a.m. – Call to Order
  • Parliamentarian, William Louthan, Professor of Politics and Government
  • National Anthem – JAYwalkers
  • Invocation – Dr. Chad Johns, Interim Chaplain
  • Pledge of Allegiance – Girl Scouts from Troops 2069, 4999, and 5042
• 9:30 a.m. – Opening Message
  • Alaina Shearer, candidate for Ohio's 12th Congressional District
  • Moment of Silence – For Jon Peterson and David H. Staley
  • Musical Performance – OWtsiders
• 9:50 a.m. – Nominate Presidential Candidate
  • Nominate VP
  • Presentation of Individual Debate Awards
    • Gore: Environmental
    • Truman: Foreign Policy – Immigration
    • Obama: Domestic – Healthcare
    • RBG – Social Policy
    • Shirley Chisolm – Nomination Speech
  • Presentation of Delegation Awards
    • FDR – Most Patriotic
    • Golden Donkey – Best Banner
    • Scavenger Hunt
    • Paul Wellstone – Delegation Mobilization
• Noon – Adjournment