ISU watches history

With his hand placed on the same Bible used by Abraham Lincoln, and as hundreds of ISU students and faculty members watched via television throughout campus, Barack Hussein Obama on Tuesday became the 44th President of the United States.

Obama took the Oath of Office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts at 12:05 p.m., swearing to the best of his ability to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution. There was an awkward pause when Roberts nervously jumbled some of the words.

The official ceremonies began with musical selections from the U.S. Marine Band and the San Francisco Boys Chorus and Girls Chorus, according to the inaugural program.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, offered welcoming remarks.

"Those who doubt the supremacy of the ballot over the bullet can never diminish the power engendered by nonviolent struggles for justice and equality, like the one that made this day possible," Feinstein said. "No triumph tainted by brutality could ever match the sweet victory of this hour and what it means to those who marched and died to make it a reality."

Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., delivered the invocation. Following him was a performance of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" by singer Aretha Franklin.

Supreme Court Associate Justice John Paul Stevens then administered the Oath of Office to Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

Musicians Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill performed a selection arranged by composer John Williams. The performance stretched past noon, so as mandated by the Twelfth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Obama technically took power while sitting and listening to the music.

After the inaugural address, Yale professor Elizabeth Alexander read a poem titled "Praise Song for the Day," Rev. Joseph E. Lowery delivered the benediction and the National Anthem by the U.S. Navy Band "Sea Chanters."

"It was very moving," Simone Lagrone, a sophomore nursing major, said of the ceremony.

She sat in front of LaVincita in the Commons to watch Obama's inaugural address. "My favorite part was when he said that 60 years ago his father wouldn't be able to sit down in a diner and eat," Lagrone said. "And now Barack is taking the Oath."

Students and faculty members crowded around the tables in front of a giant screen projecting CNN's coverage. Screens were also set up in the Events Area of Cunningham Memorial Library, Connections Lounge and Sycamore Lounge.

"It was powerful," said Kyle Andrei, a sophomore communication and political science major. "He [Obama] did a good job establishing his goal, mostly regulating the market."

Andrei called the new president's address the "best speech we had in eight years." Yesterday's viewing parties began at 9 a.m., sponsored by The American Democracy Project. Nancy Rogers, director of the Center for Public Service and Community Engagement, was pleased with the turnout.

"There was so much interest in the election reflected among college students, and I think that reflects upon today," Rogers said. For the first two hours, though, the television coverage seemed to serve as background noise for some students killing time before class.

Sally Dent, a senior history major, said she was not sure if she would be able to see Obama take office.

Asked what she would tell future generations about this day, Dent painted a picture of a nation where Republicans and Democrats put aside their political differences and came together to watch history.

"Even if you disagreed with some of his political views, it was still pretty amazing," she said.

In the library, Kevin Coleman, a Terre Haute resident finishing his Ph.D. in history, listed some of the challenges the new president faces.

"There's so much work to do to begin to recover from the Bush years," Coleman said. He began volunteering for Obama's presidential campaign before a headquarters was set up in Terre Haute, meeting with volunteers in Coffee Grounds on Wabash Avenue.

Years from now when yesterday's events are illustrated in history books, Coleman said he would tell children "how we knocked on doors and talked to people face-to-face to overcome… obstacles."

Valentine Muyumba, acting head of cataloging at the library, said Obama's inauguration is a "giant step" for American history. "He in a way represents old colors and hues in the United States," Muyumba, who was watching the coverage with her sister, said. In the Sycamore Lounge, intra-link students who are studying English before they enroll at ISU watched the ceremonies.

"Today is a good day," Elmahdi Abubaker, one of the students, said.

Intra-link instructor Janna Moore said 60 students were in the room.

Among all the pomp and circumstance there rose a common theme: Obama's inauguration would usher in a new era in this country and begin to heal old wounds.

"Even though racism doesn't stop today, I believe that this moment is a large step in the right direction," Gary Brian junior communication major said.

Sophomore liberal studies major Carre Johnson said she can envision the foundations of a new America.

"There are so many people in the United States who aren't able to afford school, and I'm not saying that overnight he's going to change things with his magical Obama wand," Johnson said. "But there will be provisions made."