Spring Break
Students reflect on Obama election, inauguration
By: Jilll Beathard
Issue date: 5/11/09 Section: News
The thrill of the last semester of their college careers clouding their minds, seniors experienced quite an extraordinary event, and one that they will never forget.
On Jan. 20, 2009, the newly-elected President of the United States, Barack Obama, was sworn in. This is an important event every four years, but the 2009 inauguration was unique in one important way- the new president was a black man.
"I had never really cared about [watching the inaugurations] before, but there was so much behind this election, so I felt pretty honored that I was able to watch the first black president get inaugurated," said Bobby Pearson, a sophomore psychology major, who watched the inauguration at a friend's house. "It really shows the big turn around our country has gone through."
A&M allowed students to watch the inauguration on the jumbotron in Kyle Field. Like many students, senior finance major Jessica Gilks was not able to watch the event live because she was in class for the first day of the 2009 spring semester.
"It was not the outcome I was hoping for, but I am eager to see what Obama is capable of doing for our country," Gilks said. "For all we know now, he could do great things for us. Time will tell."
Last year's election saw an increase in the involvement of college students in campaigning for both Democrats and Republicans. Actress Kate Walsh was invited to speak at a rally for President Obama, and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee played bass during a presentation days before the Texas Primary.
Some A&M students threw their "nest eggs" at a poster of Obama's face at a controversial campaign event put on by the Young Conservatives of Texas. The group replaced the target with a list of goals after protests from students and pressure from the administration. The event made headlines nationwide.
Sophomore political science major Sidney Vand made phone calls to an online list of likely Democratic voters, encouraging them to vote.
On Jan. 20, 2009, the newly-elected President of the United States, Barack Obama, was sworn in. This is an important event every four years, but the 2009 inauguration was unique in one important way- the new president was a black man.
"I had never really cared about [watching the inaugurations] before, but there was so much behind this election, so I felt pretty honored that I was able to watch the first black president get inaugurated," said Bobby Pearson, a sophomore psychology major, who watched the inauguration at a friend's house. "It really shows the big turn around our country has gone through."
A&M allowed students to watch the inauguration on the jumbotron in Kyle Field. Like many students, senior finance major Jessica Gilks was not able to watch the event live because she was in class for the first day of the 2009 spring semester.
"It was not the outcome I was hoping for, but I am eager to see what Obama is capable of doing for our country," Gilks said. "For all we know now, he could do great things for us. Time will tell."
Last year's election saw an increase in the involvement of college students in campaigning for both Democrats and Republicans. Actress Kate Walsh was invited to speak at a rally for President Obama, and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee played bass during a presentation days before the Texas Primary.
Some A&M students threw their "nest eggs" at a poster of Obama's face at a controversial campaign event put on by the Young Conservatives of Texas. The group replaced the target with a list of goals after protests from students and pressure from the administration. The event made headlines nationwide.
Sophomore political science major Sidney Vand made phone calls to an online list of likely Democratic voters, encouraging them to vote.
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