Students watching inauguration at the University Commons

A sense of history and an opportunity to bear witness were underlying themes as students, faculty, and staff came together as a community on January 20 to view the inauguration of Barack Obama as the nation’s 44th president on a big-screen television in the University Commons Ballroom.

Watching the swearing–in ceremony were (from left) Danielle Liataud-Watkins, director, graduate studies, and Atinuke Adeniran, assistant director, graduate admissions

The large room, filled with more than 300 people, hushed as the new president took the oath of office. “This is an important moment in history,” said Olga Correa, a member of the University’s Student Government Association. “This is our country’s first African American president, and it was very important for me to be here. It’s good to be a part of history.”

“I wanted to be a part of history,” added Kerwyn Daniel, a freshman. “I wasn’t able to go to Washington, but I still wanted to be a part of the event. I wanted to see and hear him take the oath of office.”

Obama’s vision of change also resonated with the students. For Andrew Tiernan Tessitore, a freshman, Obama represents change, “and change is good,” he said. For other students it was the new president’s attention to young voters that impressed them.

Among the students watching the ceremony on the big-screen television were (from left) Mysonn Ledet, and Isaac Abankwa

“I like how he got out the youth vote,” said Kelly Ann Riordan, also a freshman. “He has a MySpace and a Facebook account, and sent text messages to us during the campaign. He understands the youth of America, and he wants to have input from all Americans, and wants to have a government for the people.”

In addition to big-screen televisions in the ballroom and the multipurpose room, all the television monitors in the food court and other offices in the University Commons were tuned into the day’s ceremonies, giving more than 250 students a chance to view the festivities on the first day of the spring semester.

Approximately 80 of the University’s students left campus for Washington at 2:45 a.m. on January 20, to be a part of the festivities. Members of Brothers for Awareness, the Education Club, and Sisters for Awareness, Black Leadership, and Equality (S.A.B.L.E.) coordinated the trip.