Elizabeth Dole’s visit to Ames Friday is raising much speculation about whether she will make an announcement regarding her potential candidacy for president of the United States in 2000.

The former American Red Cross president and possible Republican presidential candidate will speak Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Stephens Auditorium.

Dianne Bystrom, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, said if Dole were to announce anything in Ames regarding her running for president, it would be about the formation of an exploratory committee.

The formation of an exploratory committee is considered the first step to becoming a presidential candidate.

“There’s been a lot of speculation anywhere she goes if she’ll announce the formation of an exploration committee,” she said. “I think that’s why we’ll get some national media attention here.”

She said Dole may choose to announce the committee formation here because Iowa is a key state in the presidential campaigning process due to the caucuses held early in each presidential election year.

“She spoke in New Hampshire at a chamber of commerce dinner, and there was also speculation there that she would announce something,” Bystrom said.

Dole is coming to Ames as part of her acceptance of the Mary Louise Smith Chair for Women and Politics at Iowa State.

“We invited her to talk about … women in leadership and also her visions for women in leadership in the next century,” Bystrom said.

The Mary Louise Smith Chair was created three years ago by the Catt Center for Women and Politics, and Dole accepted the 1998-99 honor in October of last year, Bystrom said.

“The way that [the Mary Louise Smith Chair] focuses on students and focuses on women in politics was very attractive to Elizabeth Dole,” she said.

Bystrom said the Catt Center uses the chair to attract political leaders, public administrators and leaders in public service.

The 1996-97 chair was held by Nancy Kassebaum Baker, Republican senator from Kansas from 1978-1996.

Ruth Mandel, director of the Eagleton Center for the American Woman and Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey, received the chair in 1997-98.

“This year, we were really looking for someone in public administration and public service,” Bystrom said.

She said Dole was chosen based on her long career in public service.

Dole has held prestigious positions during five presidential administrations, such as secretary of transportation under President Ronald Reagan and secretary of labor under President George Bush.

She also became president of the American Red Cross in 1991, a position she resigned in January.

“We knew that she’d be someone attractive and of interest to the Iowa State community,” Bystrom said. “We felt the impact and interest in her would reach plenty of people.”

She said hosting a speech by Dole is a great event for Ames.

“I hope this shall be inspirational, and I hope it will be an occasion many in the ISU community will remember,” she said.

Bystrom said various ISU organizations have been trying to bring Dole to Ames for years.

“We’re glad we could use the Mary Louise Smith Chair to get her here,” Bystrom said.

Pat Miller, director of the ISU Lectures Program, said she is pleased the program could help the Catt Center to prepare for Dole’s speech.

“The Committee on Lectures members are always very pleased to be able to make available to the students someone of national caliber like this,” she said.

Miller said the lectures committee always helps promote and publicize events.

“The word’s spreading on this one pretty fast,” she said. “We’ve been trying to bring her for several years, so we’re very excited for this.”

Miller said despite concerns about sufficient seating for the speech, Stephens is a large facility, and there will be room for everyone.

“There are plenty of seats in C.Y. Stephens, so we want to encourage everyone to come down,” she said.

The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Catt Center for Women and Politics.