BY COLIN CATCHINGSStaff Writer

Despite Sen. John McCain moving to delay the first presidential debate, the University of Mississippi is con-tinuing to prepare for the event tonight at the Ford Center.

McCain suspended his campaign Wednesday in order to work on legisla-tion that could bail out Wall Street.

According to an Associated Press report, McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said although progress had been made with bailout legislation, McCain’s status for the debate was still in question.

“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” he said. “We’re optimistic, but we want to get this thing done.”

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said he expects both candidates to be at

the debate, even though Sen. McCain said he will only go if Congress reaches a deal on the bailout, according to a CNN.com report.

The 8 p.m. debate between Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain will focus on foreign policy and national security. The debate will be hosted by “The News Hour” anchor Jim Lehrer.

According to Andrew Harper, Ole Miss media productions director, Curtis Wilkie and executive assistant

to the chancellor Andy Mullins began talking about wanting a presi-dential debate at Ole Miss several years ago.

“They worked with the Commission on Presidential Debates, which is the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that [pro-duces] the debates,” he said. “[They] began negotiating with them four years ago, which culminated in an applica-tion process.”

He also said 52 events and 19 special classes were held on campus leading up to the debate.

“Even though we knew we wouldn’t have a lot of students actually being in the auditorium, we scheduled a lot of opportunities, including a Rock the Debate festival all day Friday,” Harper said. “We worked really hard to make sure we had something for the students and the community as well.”

Ole Miss Police Chief Calvin Sellers said he is anticipating a large atten-dance at the Rock the Debate festival in the Grove.

“We’re going to have live bands and food vendors and an issue alley where people can express views about differ-ent things all afternoon long,” he said.

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BY AUBRA WHITTEN | Staff Writer

Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell lectured on key leadership traits and characteristics during the keynote address of the second annual

Leadership Summit to approximately 4,500 guests Wednesday at the Humphrey Coliseum.

Powell became the 65th secretary of state in 2001, having previous worked as an aide to the secretary of defense and as national security advisor

to former President Ronald Reagan. He served 35 years in the US Army and received the rank of four-star general. During his time as chairman of

the joint chiefs of staff (1989-1993), he managed 28 crises, including the 1989 Panama intervention and Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War.

Powell said human connections are essential to leadership.

“Everything I know about leadership I learned as a young lieutenant in the Army,” he said. “The essence of leadership is your followers; leaders have to

dedicate themselves to their followers.”

Powell touts ‘human element’ as cornerstone to leadership

The

Reflector T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F M I S S I S S I P P I S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y S I N C E 1884

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DEFINING LEADERSHIP

College Board delays search

FROM STAFF REPORTS

After an emergency teleconfer-ence meeting Wednesday afternoon, the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees announced it will postpone the second round of interviews for the Mississippi State University presidential search, which were scheduled for Oct. 2.

Originally, the board planned to announce the preferred candi-date then and have a president chosen by Oct. 13.

In a statement posted to the IHL Web site Wednesday, Board Search Committee chairman Scott Ross said the board is still planning to have a finalist by Nov. 1.

“The board, together with search consultant Jerry Baker, is still conduct-ing its due diligence,” Ross said.

Annie Mitchell, IHL director of media relations, said no new informa-tion regarding the reason for the delay has been released since Wednesday’s announcement.

“Right now the board is speaking from the statement,” she said.

Vice president for student affairs Bill Kibler agreed with Ross’ statement and said the committee postponed the interviews for more time to conduct its due diligence.

Ross and MSU Interim President Vance Watson were unavailable for comment.

According to a Reuters news agency report Wednesday, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary Mark Keenum, a rumored presidential can-didate, was nominated in June to a seat on the board of the Farm Credit

SEE POWELL, 2

Finalist may be named by early

November

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Gen. Colin Powell lectures to over 4,500 of guests at the Humphrey Coliseum Wednesday night, speaking about leadership strategies and service.

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Ross

VICTORYVICTORYAT LSU SATURDAYAT LSU SATURDAY‘GRAVY’ RELEASES FIRST ALBUM

Nationally broadcast event will focus on national security, policy

Ole Miss prepares for first presidential debate

Obama

MSU PRESIDENTIAL SEARCHFor more information on the IHL’s search process for the next MSU president, visit mississippi.edu/ieo/msu_search.html.

SEE DELAY, 4

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