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Student Group to Bring Karl Rove to UC Merced

July 12, 2010

Former advisor to President George W. Bush will speak and hold
a book signing during appearance coordinated by the College
Republicans at UC Merced

Quick Facts
  • Karl Rove, who served as deputy chief of staff and senior
    advisor to President George W. Bush, will speak at UC Merced on
    Oct. 8.
  • Rove is the third speaker with ties to the White House to speak
    at UC Merced, joining first lady Michelle Obama and President Jimmy Carter.
  • Rove’s appearance is the result of a student campaign led by
    the College Republicans at UC Merced, and his speaking fee and
    other costs will be paid for by the Associated Students of UC
    Merced and other fundraising.

MERCED, Calif. — The University of California, Merced,
will welcome its latest high-profile figure to campus this fall, as
former presidential advisor Karl Rove will speak and hold a book
signing on campus Oct. 8.

Rove, who served as deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to
President George W. Bush, will also take part in a
question-and-answer session after his speech. He is the third
speaker with ties to White House to visit UC Merced, joining first
lady Michelle Obama and President Jimmy Carter.

The Rove event was coordinated by the College Republicans at UC
Merced, a student group. Obama’s appearance as the keynote speaker
at UC Merced’s 2009 commencement was similarly brought about after
a student-led campaign. Carter visited in May to take part in the
National Parks Institute seminar and receive the university’s
Spendlove Prize for 2010.

“We are very proud of our students for once again taking the
initiative to bring to their campus someone they truly look up to
and respect,” said Steve Kang, UC Merced chancellor. “We have a
strong diversity of cultures and viewpoints on our campus, and we
welcome what should be a spirited appearance by Mr. Rove.”

The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Joseph Edward Gallo
Recreation and Wellness Center on campus. Tickets will be
distributed to 325 students during the fall semester on a
first-come, first-served basis, and 400 tickets will be available
to the general public at $35 each.

Ticket sales will help cover Rove’s $25,000 speaking fee, with
the remainder to be paid by the
Associated Students of UC
Merced
, a student enterprise with elected student
representatives. ASUCM maintains an annual budget of $420,000 that
comes from student fees and goes toward student services, clubs and
other activities.

The College Republicans will be fundraising to cover any
additional costs associated with the event. There will be no cost
to the university for this event.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit

www.KarlRoveatUCMerced.com
.