And talk they did. College officials continue to calculate the number of times Fox reporters and anchors mentioned the college on-air, thanked staff, or commented on the campus surroundings. They’re also reviewing visual cues—the number of times Fox cameras panned by the arched sign at the entrance or identified Saint Anselm on screen.

Anne Broderick Botteri, executive director of the NHIOP, takes pride in the fact that a national audience gained a better understanding of higher education’s responsibility in the democratic process.

“The goal on Fox was to showcase the critical role this college plays in the New Hampshire primary,” she explained. “From the first campaign visits and classroom discussions to sidewalk rallies and primary night exit polls, we are a key part of the vetting process and true grassroots politics that still exist in New Hampshire.”

The Fox deal did not preclude access for other national media. In fact, 600 reporters filed their debate coverage from Carr Center, and faculty members including Dante Scala, Dean Spiliotes, Elizabeth Ossoff, Michael Dupre, Andrew Moore and NHIOP analyst Jennifer Donahue were quoted more than 1,000 times in national press over the last couple months.

Even Saint Anselm of Canterbury, the statue in front of Alumni Hall, got his “15 minutes.” In addition to Fox airing sweeping views of the statue during regular broadcasting, Shep Smith took segments of his program to track down information about the college’s patron saint.

“That was one of many proud moments for me,” said Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., president of the college. “Aside from the wonderful campus exposure, I want to emphasize that this experience fits perfectly with our mission to educate responsible citizens. Our students not only witnessed democracy in action, many of them became democracy in action…by working on campaigns, working with the media, questioning the candidates and voicing their opinions at the polls.”

Photos
Top (left-right): Peter Jennings, John DiStaso, Tom Griffith, and Brit Hume moderate a Democratic presidential debate Jan. 22 at the Dana Center. (Tracy McGee)

Middle: Analysis by Saint Anselm’s resident political expert, Dante Scala, was in high demand throughout the weeks leading up to primary. (Tracy McGee)

Bottom: John Kerry and John Edwards at the debate. (Tracy McGee)

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