Staging, lighting, and sound had to meet national media standards. This provided Messiah operations staff with a new opportunity for professional development as they worked with crews from CNN to prepare the auditorium.

Facility Services staff worked tirelessly to prepare Eisenhower Campus Center’s rooms, lobbies, and hallways. The building was secured by Secret Service on Sunday, with limited access for students and guests alike. Cindy Burger, director of Safety and Dispatch Services, says Messiah security personnel worked with six outside agencies (Secret Service, State Police Intelligence, State Police K-9 Explosive Detection Team, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Upper Allen Police, and Cumberland County Department of Public Safety) on “security issues for the candidates as well as the safety of all those attending the Forum, not to mention handling the traffic and parking for the event.”