President George W. Bush will be visiting the Novozymes plant in Franklinton, N.C., today at 11 a.m. with students from College Republicans driving as part of his motorcade.

According to Brittany Farrell, a senior in economics, the Novozymes plant in Franklinton is the largest ethanol plant in Franklin county, and Novozymes has plants all over the world.

“[The visit] is part of his new plan with the ethanol sorts of energy,” Farrell said.

Farrell said the White House called her house while she was at school and her mom picked up. The representative who called asked for Farrell because, according to her, the College Republicans at N.C. State are active and “we’re probably the closest campus to this plant,” she said.

According to Farrell, her family is very involved in the Republican Party and because organizers of Bush’s visit like to have students involved, they called Farrell’s home and asked for six students from the College Republicans to join the motorcade.

“I literally had four hours to get people to tell me whether they could skip class for a full day,” Farrell said.

The representative who called Farrell told her to get the contacts at noon Monday and that she had until about 4:30 p.m. that day to get the names of the people to the White House, so White House officials could run background checks on those participating.

“We get to be there right when [Bush’s] helicopter lands,” she said.

Farrell said she picked active members from College Republicans to participate.

Christine DiPietro, a sophomore in political science, will be one of those participants.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” DiPietro said. “Of course, I’m excited.”

DiPietro said the vehicles have to stay about 15 feet apart, and if they are less, the tires will be shot.

According to DiPietro, the event will last until about 3 p.m.

Farrell said she is really looking forward to the visit.

“I’m most excited about getting to be there,” she said. “We get to be there to help.”

According to Farrell, the College Republicans participants will be driving members of the press in what the White House representative told her would most likely be minivans or “motorcade approved” vehicles.