The Good 5 Cent Cigar

Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: Special Features

Media Credit: Keri Castro Professor Nasser Zawia.

Professor Richard McIntyre.

Media Credit: Keri Castro The crowd watches Obama on the big screen.

Media Credit: Teresa Kelly Presidential cake anyone?

Media Credit: Keri Castro The audience breaks into applause during an Obama forum.

01/22/09 - On Tuesday, students, professors and staff members crowded into the Memorial Union at the University of Rhode Island to watch President Barack Obama take the oath of office and make his inaugural speech. The Union was one of five locations around campus where people could watch the inauguration on TV. Others gathered at the University Library, Chafee Social Science Center, Roosevelt Hall and Rhody Market.

Complete with President of the United States sheet cake served at the Union, cookies and punch, the celebration reflected what senior word processing typist Mary Frye called "a historically, magnificent day."

"Obama has the strength, fortitude and decision-making skills to help us improve upon America and end the wars we resonate in. He has a long road ahead of him," she said.

Languages professor Ann Suter shared her hopes for the next four years: "Getting back to the Constitution, honesty in public and private life, getting out of Iraq, paying more attention to environmental issues, all the regular stuff."

Freshman Carissa Johnson also felt Obama would have to work hard to make changes.

"I think he's really smart and he has a lot of support. He's going to change the economy which is really bad and the environment which is really bad. But it is going to take time," Johnson said.

Curator and Director of the Media Resource Center Eileen Tierney watched the inauguration in the University Library.

"Oh, it's really an exciting time in history. He's such an intelligent man, just great. He's in charge and it's very emotional and refreshing," Tierney said.

Throughout the inaugural festivities, applause and shouts of agreement filled the Union as Obama spoke.

Sophomore Samantha Vanbever said, "[it's] history in the making. Its pretty cool we get to be a part of it because we voted for it," she said.

After the ceremonies ended, URI professors Richard McIntyre, Nasser Zawia and Brian Krueger discussed their thoughts on Obama's election and inaugural address.

Zawia commented on Obama's mention of education and science and technology. "He is an incredibly intelligent man who understands the importance of research and productivity."

McIntyre, on the historic election said, "We did it. This will help people in other countries see they can change, too."

After the inaguration, those gathered in the Union celebrated Obama's inauguration with a standing ovation. "His words were not just hollow, they were real," Zawia said.

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