Chants of “when we vote, we win,” filled the O’Rena as former United States Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton stepped onstage alongside U.S. Rep. Gary Peters and former congressman Mark Schauer Thursday, Oct. 16 in an event sponsored by the Michigan Democratic Party.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be at Oakland University,” Clinton told the crowd of approximately 2,000 students, faculty and supporters. “It’s a beautiful campus with a great reputation.”

Taking a family-focused approach and discussing Shauer and Peters’ roles during the Big Three auto crisis of 2008, Clinton’s endorsement of the Democratic candidates capped off a night of political rally.

“There’s no place as hardworking as Michigan,” Clinton said. “Michigan is where the middle class was born and this is where it stays.”

“We’re thrilled to death that the candidates chose Oakland University as a venue as it draws importance to the importance of higher education,” said Oakland University President George Hynd. “It certainly brings recognition to Oakland University as a campus that wants to engage.”

Running to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate, Rochester native Gary Peters explained his own Oakland University ties, calling it a “family affair.”

“My wife graduate from here; my niece graduated from here,” he said. “OU is a great American university.”

After ascending the stage steps to the Motown favorite, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Clinton endorsed both Peters and Schauer, calling them the “right leaders at the right time.”

Emphasizing her own “family values” and her “joy of being a new grandmother,” Clinton told the audience that “Michigan deserves leaders who care for you and your future as our own families cared about us.”

While Clinton’s appearance was certainly the most prominently featured aspect of the event as T-shirts, posters, buttons and a campaign bus boasting the “Ready for Hillary” slogan sat outside the O’Rena, the majority of the rally was dedicated to local Democratic platforms encouraging the audience to vote in the upcoming local elections on Nov. 4.

“She is not here because of the possibilities of 2016,” said former U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-MI, in reference to Clinton’s visit. “She is here because of the problems and concerns in 2014.”

While each candidate added his or her personal flair to his or her rallying speech, the themes of the night were apparent: equality for women and members of the LGBT community, raising funding for government programs such as education and healthcare and most unanimously, the importance of voting in the upcoming election.

“Young people have taken a hit when it comes to the affordability of college,” said Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, addressing crowd predominantly consisting of OU students. “It’s time to invest or disinvest in a college like OU. It’s time to observe our civic duties and vote.”

“It’s not enough to put the sticker on on voting day and say ‘I voted,'” cautioned Brenda Lawrence, the mayor of Southfield running for a seat in the Michigan State Congress. “Go out and educate yourself.”

However, not everyone attended the rally in support of the candidates; some came to simply assess the situation.

“I’m not affiliated [with Democrats], but I really appreciate having both Republicans and Democrats on campus,” student Max Rohtbart said. “We have the freedom to speak and should have access to as many resources as possible.”

“Whether or not you support it, it’s cool to see big-time politics,” said senior Jake Collison.

But in the words of Rohtbart, “It’s not a real political rally unless there are protestors.”

A group of approximately twenty protestors stood outside the O’Rena, waving posters with messages criticizing President Obama’s reaction to the recent Ebola outbreak. According to campusreform.org, while the movement was not organized by any one group, it included students involved in the College Republicans, Students for Life and Young Americans for Liberty groups.

Regardless of political affiliation, Mark Schauer encouraged the Oakland community to vote.

“Every student who can should get their absentee ballot. They can apply right on their smart phones,” he said. “The student vote is key. Students have a chance to decide what kind of Michigan they want to live in.”

“There are choices that change your whole life,” concluded Clinton. It all comes down to who shows up at the polls.”

To apply for an absentee ballot via mobile device, text 228466 or visit miabsentee.com.