A few days before Thanksgiving, the University received the best news it could have gotten from the Commission of Presidential Debates. Not only was the University chosen to host a presidential debate, but the final presidential debate of 2008, the debate that will push undecided voters over the edge.

In its final meeting of the semester, the Student Government Association (SGA) approved a new committee to discuss possible events surrounding the presidential debate coming to the University next fall and appointed the first freshman ever to its cabinet. Entitled "Issue Committee for Presidential Topics Two Thousand deb8," the group will coordinate with Sandra Johnson, the vice president for Student Affairs, and Anita Ellis, the director of the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, to plan symposia, activities and events specific to issues that will be discussed at the debate to take place on Oct.

Her path began here at the University, an alumna of the month honored for her selfless acts and advocacy in the community. Faced with hardships in life, Michele Lumia Iallonardi's fondest memory was graduating with honors in 1998 with a dual degree in elementary education and sociology.

The University is going to be home to the final 2008 Presidential Debate on October 15. Hofstra went through a series of processes to be accepted by the Commission on Presidential Debates, and now that the official decision has been made, many more plans are being put in action.

December 7Mahalo Happy Hour Mahalo Spa and Natural Organic Cafe927 Franklin Ave Garden City4 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.$35Call (516) 922-3494 December 11Holiday Spectacular The Dix Hills Center for the Performing Arts305 North Service Road7:30 p.m.$10.00Call (631) 378-2000 December 13Winter Solstice CelebrationThe Smithtown Public LibraryMain Street7 p.

Do you know where the word "Yankee" comes from? It's a combination of two common Dutch names, Jan and Kees. When the Dutch first colonized New York (then called New Amsterdam), the people of the Netherlands referred to the settlers as Jan-Kees and hence the term Yankee came into existence.

Barring a losing streak of epic proportions, coach Ian Clugston and the mens' ice hockey team needs to start making reservations for Albany. Convincing wins this past weekend over Gettysberg, Loyola, and Indiana of Pennsylvania that produced a whopping 25 goals have the Pride set up to surpass their original goal of simply making the regional tournament.

Construction progress for the residence hall that will house graduate students could lead to the sale of the Twin Oaks residence hall on Hempstead Turnpike. The University is holding discussions with potential buyers for the site, said Melissa Connolly, vice president of University Relations.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Den Chants Oh my dearest Hofstra faithful. I love your enthusiasm and energy every time out at the Mack, but can we get a little more creative with our chanting? Now, let me state for the record, that I believe we should curse - to an extent, and when merited - and pick on an opposing player.

45 High, a band from New York City, fronted by Pete Giambalvo, a University graduate, will be playing a benefit concert on Dec. 15 at Arlene's Grocery. Giambalvo graduated in 1994 with a degree in drama; however, he is now "really focusing on being a rock star," he said.

There is much talk these days in the media world about the word "convergence." At its core, convergence means two or more things coming together as one. In journalism, convergence is just that-the mass fusion of various media merging into one collective whole: text, video, photos, audio and the Web all-in-one.

Welcome theatergoers to "Walmartopia," where environmentalists and union workers are shunned and the American Dream is represented by consumerism. Satirizing big businesses is a brilliant idea for a musical, and director Daniel Goldstein along with Wendy Seyb (choreography), August Eriksmoen (music direction/orchestrations and arrangements) and Catherine Capellaro and Andy Rohn (book, music and lyrics) make "Walmartopia" into just that: a brilliant musical.