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It's a school that often struggles to be noticed outside of South Florida. But on Tuesday, Florida Atlantic University will get an unexpected boost from the nation's top leader.
When President Obama gives a nationally televised speech on tax policy at the FAU Arena at 2:55 p.m., about 50 cheering students dressed in FAU shirts will be behind him. And thousands more will be in the audience.
Not bad for a university that just five years ago was known as a commuter school with little campus life.
"It's a big deal when the president of the United States shows up," said Terry Hartle, vice president of the American Council on Education, which represents colleges and universities. "Florida Atlantic University will be on the front page of newspapers all over the country Wednesday. It gives them a great deal of visibility that they can tout in their marketing and recruiting of students."
About 100 to 150 media are expected to cover the event, FAU spokeswoman Christine Dardet said.
"We've never had anything like this happen here," said FAU student Jervonte Edmonds, 20. "We have a losing football team, so it's exciting to have something popular here.''
Joanna Mandel, 22, of Pembroke Pines, was also surprised, saying, "You'd think it would be a bigger school like UF."
But Obama's never spoken at the University of Florida or the state's other top public school, Florida State University. It turns out FAU is a more geographically friendly location for the president. He has fundraising events in Palm Beach Gardens before his speech and in Hollywood and Golden Beach afterward.
"We're an obvious choice if you're looking for a wonderful venue for a speech between those two areas," FAU President Mary Jane Saunders said.
Saunders said she would welcome the Republican nominee for president as well, saying it's a great experience for students and employees, regardless of their political leanings. Gov. Mitt Romney was on campus in 2008 when FAU hosted a Republican presidential debate.
Obama visited the University of Miami recently and spoke at Miami Dade College's graduation last year. Lynn University in Boca Raton has been selected to host the final presidential debate in October.
Obama's FAU visit marks the first time a U.S. president has spoken at the university since 1963, whenLyndon B. Johnsongave the speech at the dedication for the new university.
Boris Bastidas, president of FAU's College Democrats, said Obama's visit could help attract more students. He said he became interested in FAU in 2008 shortly after the presidential debate and the football team's first bowl victory.
"All of that opened my eyes to the school, and got me thinking FAU is on the rise," he said. "Maybe this will also open the door to some incoming freshmen who think FAU might be a serious place for them to consider."
Obama's speech is closed to the public, but FAU is randomly selecting about 3,500 students and faculty to attend through a random lottery that drew 7,100 entries.
FAU students will also be featured in prominent volunteer roles. Student government President Ayden Maher will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, while FAU sophomore Rebecca Guillaume will sing the National Anthem.
"I'm a little bit nervous, but I'm going to try to remember I've done this before," said Guillaume, who has sung at school baseball and basketball games. "It's really a blessing to FAU that he's coming."
Most classes will go on as scheduled Tuesday, with the exception for those in the arena, which will be moved, and Lifelong Learning Society classes, which will be rescheduled. Instructors are not required to give students excused absences.
FAU is posting parking and traffic information on its website, fau.edu.
"The only downside is that traffic is going to be a nightmare," Hartle said. "FAU will be able to demonstrate to the public that important things happen at Florida Atlantic University. It's a place where news gets made."
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