NBC's Russert to interview students in Indiana Memorial Union

As the country anxiously awaits election results Tuesday, NBC correspondent Luke Russert will interview IU students in and around the Indiana Memorial Union.

Russert is the son of Tim Russert, the Washington bureau chief for NBC and moderator of “Meet the Press” who died of a heart attack in June.

Luke Russert has covered youth issues during the 2008 election cycle for shows such as NBC Nightly News, TODAY, MSNBC and msnbc.com, according to the MSNBC Web site.

In response to Russert’s appearance on Tuesday, the Union Board will host an election coverage party starting at 6 p.m. in the Frangipani Room inside the IMU. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will include free food and coverage of the presidential race, said Meghan Krueger, Union Board director of seminars and events.

Students who attend the event could end up on national TV. Russert will broadcast live from the event as well as from the IMU, said Nathan Click, junior and Union Board public relations director.

“It’s a great opportunity for IU students, and once again the Union Board is bringing the world to IU,” Click said.

Click also said the event is a great way for IU students to come together and watch the results of the presidential election.

Russert first contacted IU about interviewing students for the program, Krueger said. IU turned the event over to the Union Board. Click said one of the reasons IU was chosen is because Indiana has recently become a swing state.

National coverage of the election, which might include IU students, will begin on the “Today Show” and will continue throughout the day, according to a press release.

Krueger said the event does not have an ending time but students are free to leave whenever they want.  

“It’s kind of like handing a megaphone to IU students,” Krueger said.