Christopher Geanakos | News Editor
geanakc@imail.losrios.edu
Jan. 20 marked a historical world event: the inauguration of Barack Obama, the first African- American to be elected U.S. president. It also happened to be the start of classes for the spring semester.
On campus, measures were taken to ensure that staff, faculty and the student body had access to the day’s inaugural events, despite having to attend the first day of class.
City College Vice President of Student Services Michael Poindexter said, “It was one of the major things that has happened in the world. We needed to be part of that experience. We probably would have been ripped apart if we had not provided that opportunity.”
The event proved to be wildly popular, easily filling up most of the seats in the main auditorium. The audience, rising and cheering at various intervals, watched the procession with an intensity and attentiveness teachers can only dream of.
“The people around me were really happy to be part of history. Some guy behind me kept screaming for Michelle Obama,” said Jose Flores, a City College student.
Elise McGillivary, art major, related her gratitude for the shared experience.
“It was definitely great to be here rather than at home watching television. It had a sense of community and collegiality and it’s good to be able to share this sort of experience with other humans.”
Although the tone of President Obama’s inaugural speech may have seemed slightly sober in comparison to his higher soaring speeches, student expectations didn’t appear curbed and seemed just as high as ever.
“I feel great emotion toward Barack Obama,” said Flores. “I think he’s going to do a great job, and I think we might just have a new United States. You can see it in his face, that he truly wants to help and he’s got the ability to do it.”
McGillivary also echoed these hopeful sentiments.
“It’s such a tremendously huge job, so much to be done and such huge expectations to begin with,” McGillivary said. “I’m optimistic. I really do hope something can change.”
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