President Barack Obama will be hosting a campaign event in Athens Wednesday.
Obama will speak on College Green Wednesday, with gates opening at 3 p.m., said Laura Allen, regional press secretary with Obama for America.
Tickets are now available outside the fourth floor of Baker University Center.
AlexaRae Kitko, a sophomore studying molecular biology and biochemistry said she got in line at 8:30 a.m. and will skip class on Wednesday for Obama's rally.
"I think that seeing Obama speak is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Kitko said.
"I wish more people were more educated and informed on the election and I think if they come to the rally they will get a better understanding on what Obama's stance actually is."
The event, hosted by the OU College Democrats, is free, but tickets are required for entry. OU students, faculty and staff can get one ticket each with an OU ID starting at noon Sunday on the fourth floor of Baker University Center, according to an email from Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi.
The entrance to the event will be located on South Court Street between President Street and West Union Street, and parking will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at Baker University Center, Allen said in an email.
“I think it is great to have any president or presidential candidate to come to Athens, Ohio,” Communications Chair for OU College Republicans Dylan Gustafson said. “It just goes to show how important Ohio is. It is an important state to win, and if you don’t win Ohio, you’re not going to win the presidency.”
OU College Democrats President Shannon Welch said she was "blown away" by the announcment.
“I am incredibly excited and I really can’t wait for the event,” Welch said. “It is really huge for OU and for Athens; I think it shows how the president knows how important students are and how important Athens is.”
bc822010@ohiou.edu
