As the presidential inauguration drew near, millions of Americans traveled to the nation’s capitol to witness history. For Loyola students who could not attend the actual inauguration, the events going on in the Danna Center were the hottest tickets in town.
The Office of Co-Curricular Programs hosted a series of events Jan. 20 commemorating the inauguration of Barack Obama.
Brandi Ebanks, political science junior, said she was initially surprised at how much support Obama received on Loyola’s campus. After the many racially-sensitive issues that have plagued the campus the past two academic years, she found it refreshing for Loyola to come together and embrace President Obama.
“Loyola really did shock me because, unlike any other HBCU (Historically Black Universities and Colleges) we did not have the day off,” Ebanks said. “But Loyola has been celebrating President Obama since early this morning, and I appreciate that.”
Some students skipped their morning classes in order to view the historical event. Others watched the inauguration in class, and some professors cancelled classes.
“I started watching the events on TV and realized I needed to be there,” Tanya Hamilton, political science sophomore said. “So my friend and I got together and watched the inauguration.”
The One Loyola Room by the bookstore showed a video project called “Yes We Can: Students Speak About Obama” in the morning. It featured student opinions on the inauguration. There was not an enthusiastic response to the project as students sporadically walked through the room on their way through the Danna Center.
Students were more involved in the presidential trivia game, which began in Satchmo’s and tested students’ knowledge of U.S. presidents with rounds of questions.
Teams that won could choose from books like “Faiths of the Founding Fathers” by David Holmes, magazines, a t-shirt and other items.
“I’m just happy that my useless amount of knowledge has finally paid off,” joked one winner, Ashley Shabankareh, music education and music business junior.
The most popular event was the co-curricular-sponsored inaugural ball. Students sat at tables in the St. Charles Room enjoying food and drinks, dancing and watching the Washington inaugural balls on a large flat-screen television. Some students even dressed formally for the occasion.
Although the overall mood for the day was excitement, Ebanks said she is waiting for what will happen in the future.
“I’m ready for tomorrow (Jan. 21),” Ebanks said. “He’s been inaugurated, he’s done his piece, I’m ready for change.”
Ebanks went on to say some people might be relying on Obama too much.
“We have to remember he is human. He’s going to make mistakes,” Ebanks said. “We need to do our part and be one-hundred-percent behind him.”
Hamilton wishes the best for President Obama.
“And as far as the future, I hope to see excellence, I hope to see him execute his plans,” Hamilton said. “I just hope to see greatness.”
Jaune Jackson can be reached at [email protected]. Gabriella Lopez can be reached at
[email protected].
Iggy stands patriotically before the Danna Center, wearing an Uncle Sam hat and flying red, white and blue inaugural balloons the morning of Inauguration Day. The Danna Center hosted events all day long.
