Southern University’s faculty, staff and students packed the Smith-Brown Memorial Union’s Cotillion Ballroom Tuesday, watching and cheering President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Baton Rouge like the millions gathered in Washington, D.C., and countless others watching around the nation.
The fact that they were thousands of miles away from the nation’s capital to witness then President-elect Obama take office as America’s 44th president did little to deter the audience on campus from showing their emotions.
Dennis Davis, a senior management major from Angie, La., was among the first students in attendance of this highly anticipated event. “It makes me feel good,” he said, “We actually have a chance to witness a black man as president, in our era….Being that our forefathers have made a way, it makes me feel good,” Davis repeated.
Students were given flags and offered commemorative merchandise to remember this historical event as they walked into the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.
“The turnout was fantastic, said Toni Jackson, development and placement coordinator for the College of Business, and advisor to the group sponsoring the event, the Black Executive Exchange Program (B.E.E.P.)
“We knew we were going to have a good turnout, because everyone was pretty much buzzing.”
When Obama was formally introduced at 10:42, students filled all seats, leaving room for aisles and standing room only.
After a cheer for Aretha Franklin as she sung a soulful version of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,”, and following Vice President Joe Biden’s oath, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. began to swear in Obama.
As Obama placed his hand on the same bible that Abraham Lincoln used at his inauguration in 1861, the university audience watched. As President Obama began his oath, the entire audience stood to their feet amid cheering.
After a bit of confusion with the oath and its proper wording, “He is now the president of the United States,” exclaimed Roberts at approximately 11:01 a.m. Central Standard Time.
The U.S. Constitution states a new president’s term officially begins on inauguration day at noon Eastern Standard Time—or local time in D.C.
Shouts and praise for the new commander in chief rang out from both the audience and the surround sound speakers.
University recruiter Robert Rene’ said he was proud of the fact that an African-American is now president, but also of the level of student involvement. He felt students like the ones gathered in the Cotillion Ballroom would play a role in Obama’s election, and he knew the room would be filled with supporters and well-wishers.
“It is times such as these that have some students feeling more patriotic than they would usually feel, said Mitch Conner, a management major from Baton Rouge.”I feel elated on this momentous occasion. I really feel proud of America, you know.
“This is one of the times where I probably expressed my citizenship the most. I also feel elated that I was in college at the time and available, in a place to enjoy the situation with my fellow classmates and professors.”
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Campus, nation celebrates start of Obama era
January 23, 2009
Chayla Davis, a senior business major, reacts alongside her husband, Miles Daniels, after watching President Barack Obama take the oath of office during an inauguration television watch party in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom at Southern University.
Student watch as President Barack Obama gives his inauguaration address on television at a inauguration watch party held in the Smith -Brown Memorial Union.
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