David Plotz, left, and John Dickerson address communication students in Purdue's Envision Center

Slate.com's "Political Gabfest" taped live in West Lafayette in April.

The podcast's three hosts -- David Plotz, editor-in-chief of Slate; John Dickerson, Slate's chief political correspondent; and Emily Bazelon, a Yale Law professor who covers judicial issues for Slate, spent most of the day of the live taping meeting with communication students.

Three classes gathered in Purdue's Envision Center for an informal Q&A with the hosts.

"It was great to have John and David come and talk with our class! I really enjoy it when we get the opportunity to hear from professionals in our field on how things work in the industry, especially when they are as knowledgeable and well versed as the guys from Slate," said senior Evan Jackson.

Later the hosts were available one-on-one at a Happy Hour at local landmark Harry's Chocolate Shoppe.

Communication students (from left) Nathan Cranor, Joey Beard and Evan Jackson listen to a Q&A by Slate.com editors

"John and David clearly know their stuff and are comfortable speaking without a script, but still in a way that's sharp and eloquent," said senior Nathan Cranor.

The Gabfest has about 75,000 listeners a month. Slate is a Web-based magazine founded in 1996 that covers politics, culture and sports. It was among the first Web-only media publications.

Later that evening, hundreds of students and local residents filled the University Church near campus for the actual weekly taping of "Political Gabfest." After the taping, the three hosts took questions from the audience about a wide array of topics.

Department visiting assistant professor Maura Pierce, a former C-SPAN producer, helped coordinate the trio's appearances while on campus. She said it was a unique opportunity for our students to have access to such innovative industry professionals.