BY COLLIN GOOD AND
JESSICA OKEEFE
Lions’ Pride Editors

The evening of February 9, 2010 produced an event unparalleled in Saint Leo history – a political rally for President Abraham Lincoln.

The Saint Leo University Distinguished Speaker Series brought actor Jim Getty, widely known for his impressive portrayal of America’s 16th President, to the Greenfielder – Denlinger Boardrooms. Members of the surrounding community, paired with a substantive student turnout, made the event a success.

Students escorted Mr. Getty, along with staff members from the Political Science and History Departments to the cafeteria for dinner, where Getty met some bewildered looks and held some interesting discussions. Getty stepped out of character, describing his personal life, having moved to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to open a theatre presenting a one-man show on the life of President Lincoln.

Getty, a native of central Illinois, received his M.A. in Music from Illinois Wesleyan University, was a teacher of high school music, and the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Maine.

Creating an atmosphere to mimic 1864, Dr. Hudson Reynolds, professor of Political Science and Director of the Saint Leo University Honors Program, led a student rally across campus, carrying rally signs, torches, and cowbells, through the sidewalks by the apartments and into the SCC Boardrooms, where they were met by a full room of patiently waiting listeners.

Getty spoke on the early life of President Lincoln, from his humble beginnings in a log cabin to the run for Illinois State Legislature. Staying in character, Getty re-created Lincoln, speaking to the issues facing his bid for re-election in the 1864 primary, including the War Between the States. The personal life of Lincoln came through in-between political topics, showing the humanity of the President, making the decisions to keep the country at war and to sign the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Distinguished Speakers Series not only presented the community with a fun, interesting night with Abraham Lincoln, but potentially produced the first pro-Lincoln rally ever to be held in the State of Florida.