Jan. 27, 2009 issue
EMU celebrates Obama inauguration with campus events

By Heather Hamilton

 

As more than 1 million people gathered in Washington, D.C., to watch Barack Obama be inaugurated as America's 44th president, hundreds of EMU students, faculty and staff flocked to the Student Center Grand Ballroom to be a part of the momentous occasion. Two words truly captured the vibe of this historical event: excited and hopeful.

"I'm pretty excited because it's the first election I voted in," said Laura Schulz, a psychology major from Canton, Mich. "I was getting goose bumps."

INAUGURAL SPEECH: Members of the Eastern Michigan University community rise to applaud during President Barack Obama's inauguration speech. The inauguration was televised in the Student Center Grand Ballroom Jan. 20.

The Student Center Grand Ballroom was transformed for the event, which took place Jan. 20. Three large screens were placed in front of round tables. Patriotic decorations, including red, white and blue balloons and flags, added to the décor. To show their support, some students wore Obama T-shirts and pins.

The Black Student Union hosted its own viewing of the inauguration in Buell Hall, as did the College of Education in the Porter Building.

"The idea is so extreme and so different from what we've seen in the past," said Jason Promo, an electronic media and film major from Plymouth, Mich. "I think that it's going to bring hope."

When President Obama first appeared on the screens, the Student Center crowd erupted into spontaneous applause and cheers.

"It's exciting," said Heather Duncan, a sophomore majoring in biology from Canton, Mich. "Even if you're not an Obama supporter, it's an awesome thing for the country."

"I'm pretty excited. It's a great moment in history. It's a first," said Noah Hevey, an EMU sophomore from Minnesota studying mechanical engineering. "I get to see the democratic process work."

When President Obama was officially announced as president at noon, even before taking the oath of office, the crowd once again began cheering, clapping and waving American flags.

"I'm really excited," said Ann Arbor resident Kristen Lake, who is working on her master's in health administration. "The fact that there can be a change and it's making history with an African-American president."

"I feel, with him being the first African-American president, it will drop the race barrier," said Angela Scarber, a political science major from Waterford, Mich. "It will help the U.S. continue to progress as a country."

By the time President Obama was about to take the oath of office, the ballroom had filled up. Some people even stood in the back of the room, ready to witness history.

The entire audience in the ballroom rose to their feet as President Obama was sworn in. Silence overtook the group as he began his speech.

Several times throughout his speech, the crowd applauded. Obama's statements, "we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America" and "we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us and we will defeat you" struck a chord with audience members.

When President Obama finished, the audience once again rose to their feet. Some clapped and whistled, while others waved American flags.

"He's breathtaking," said Doris Fields, a professor of communication and theatre arts. "It (the speech) was very powerful and very inclusive. I had already been hopeful, but he gave me more hope."

The festivities wrapped up with a short analysis of President Obama's speech by Maggie Lippens, a political science faculty member. Lippens said that the speech highlighted that America has entered a new era of responsibility and that there is a need for positive energy.

The event concluded with a brief performance by rap star Mims. Mims made the point that President Obama is someone Americans can relate to and that he shows us that people can rise up and come into power.

"He transcends age and race," Fields added. "He engages us and makes us want to be involved in politics. He will be the president for everyone."

The inauguration parade and news commentary continued to air in the Student Center Grand Ballroom until 4 p.m. An EMU Neighborhood Ball for faculty, staff and students took place from 8-10 p.m., while the national Neighborhood Ball, televised on ABC, was available for viewing. The Student Center, Campus Life and Student Government sponsored the events.