Ohio University Southern is the place to be to view and discuss President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address Wednesday evening.

Dr. David Lucas, a communications professor, is hosting a panel discussion of the speech that will begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Bowman Auditorium at OUS.

The event is open to the public and several OUS classes will be there to evaluate the president’s speech.

“It’s a panel discussion on the importance and the significance of having a State of the Union address and why dialogue is important,” Lucas said.

Panel members will be those from the college as well as the community.

The event will be a non-partisan discussion.

“There will be no campaigning or politicking going on,” Lucas said.

When the majority of people voice their opinion about issues, it does make a difference, he said.

While college students are not traditionally thought of as being politically active, Lucas has seen an increase in students’ interest over the past few years.

Obama’s campaign and election is an example of the influence younger people can have on elections, he said.

“I think they do care about the outcome of the election,” Lucas said.

Lucas teaches a politics and rhetoric course. This year, he has seen an increase in the number of students enrolling in the course.

The class is at capacity level, but in the past there was not much interest.

“Now, when I walk into the class I have a smile on my face,” he said. “I think that people are interested in what the president has to say.”

The panel will start promptly at 8 p.m., though the auditorium will be opened at 7 p.m. if people would like to get seats.

After viewing the speech at 9 p.m., there will be closing comments from the panel.