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ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Hosts Dr. Norm Ornstein for Election Analysis Event Honoring Former Professor, Dr. David Kozak Endowment Announced

Published: 09/19/2024

Norm Ornstein at the Dr. Kozak lecture with Dr. Jeff Bloodworth

Political analyst Norman “Norm” Ornstein, Ph.D., participated in a special conversation discussing the U.S. presidential election in the Yehl Ballroom in Gannon University’s Waldron Campus Center on Wednesday, Sept. 18. 

Dr. Norm Ornstein is a senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute, where he has studied politics, elections and the U.S. Congress for more than four decades. He often appears on C-SPAN, CBS, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, NPR and “PBS NewsHour,” among other outlets. His articles and opinion pieces have also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and USA Today.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Norm Ornstein to engage with the community in an insightful political discussion,” said Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., president of Gannon University. “It is an honor to have Dr. Ornstein present to celebrate his friend, Dr. David Kozak, who built an impactful legacy within the U.S. political sphere and here at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.” 

The discussion also featured a question and answer discussion with Jeffrey Bloodworth, Ph.D., professor of history at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.  

Along with the political discussion, the evening also honored the legacy of David Kozak, Ph.D., former professor of public policy at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. A special moment of the evening was the opportunity for one of Kozak's former students, Kristin Talarico, announced the Dr. David and MaryAnne Kozak ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ READS Program Endowment. 

The ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ READS (Reading to Enhance the Awareness of a Diverse Society) Program enhances the first-year student experience at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ by providing a common book to read and discuss. All ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students, faculty and staff, as well as community members, are welcomed and encouraged to take part in the reading. 

During the fall semester, the author of the chosen book is invited to give a special lecture where the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ and Erie communities are invited to attend. The book chosen this year is "Try to Love the Questions: From Debate to Dialogue in Classrooms and Life" by Lara Schwartz. 

This lecture will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 at the Warner Theatre. 

Lead gifts to establish this endowment were provided through the generosity of Erie Insurance, Mr. Thomas B. Hagen and Gannon University. 

The discussion with Ornstein was co-hosted by the Jefferson Educational Society, where Kozak served as a trustee and chairman of the board.     

For more information on upcoming speakers - including the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ READS Program lecture by Schwartz, please visit our CHESS Speaker Series page here.