March 2009

Every presidential inauguration is historic, but the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States was an event of worldwide interest, extensive media coverage, and impressive citizen participation.

by Dara McCoy

he combination of the significance of the nation’s first black president’s official step into office; the convergence of more than a million flag-waving spectators upon the Washington National Mall; performances by some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians; and optimistic anticipation of Obama’s promise of change resulted in a celebration of enormous proportion.

There amidst the millions of onlookers were a number of Austin College students staking their claim on the historic moment and the opportunity to stand as witness to the moment of change. Of course, millions of people did not vote for Obama and perhaps felt defeat at his election. But the inauguration celebration seemed to transcend partisan politics. “All around me I could feel the energy circulating through the streets as we prepared for our next president to take office,” said Rachel Mims ’11, an international relations major at Austin College, who had volunteered for the Obama campaign. “It no longer mattered if you supported McCain or Obama, everyone was excited to have Obama take his place and begin the process of the much-needed change for this nation.”

For the 2009 JanTerm, 29 Austin College students who traveled to Washington, D.C., for the “Leadership in a New Era” course at the Osgood Center for International Studies were able to witness the inauguration firsthand. The course was taught by Shelton Williams, Austin College professor emeritus of political science and president of the Osgood Center.

LIVE FROM D.C.

“The atmosphere at the inauguration was unlike anything I had ever experienced,” said Mims. “Even though we had stood in 20 degree weather since 5 a.m., everyone was still  so excited and happy to be there that nothing else mattered. A local told me that people in Washington, D.C., never smile at complete strangers, but on January 20, everyone was eager to talk to the people to their left and right to learn how far they had traveled and how excited they were for the celebration to begin.”

Alissa Luthe ’09, a communication studies major, was in Washington, D.C., interning with Congressman Ralph Hall in a Career Study Off-Campus for JanTerm. Luthe volunteered with the Young Republican’s Club of Grayson County during the 2008 election. “From a humanitarian aspect, witnessing the first black president be sworn into office was a great experience,” Luthe said. “It was wonderful to feel the sea of optimism and joy among the millions attending the inaugural ceremonies. It reinvigorated the Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and made many believe that barriers can be overcome and dreams can be achieved.”

Jeff Ridenour ’11, a double major in political science and communication studies, was in D.C. with the Congressional Youth Leadership Council for the University Presidential Inaugural Conference. The council brought 15,000 middle school, high school, and college students into the city, creating the largest youth group in attendance at the inauguration, Ridenour said.

“The inauguration was an indescribable and wonderful experience,” Ridenour said. “I felt, as I think all of the two million people there did, like I was part of history. I was there because my voice was heard, and I was part of a remarkable change and revolution of our nation,” Ridenour added. “I have never seen so many people, from all different paths and backgrounds of life, come together to share the joy and success of our nation and a time of great change, diversity, and progression.”

“Being at the
inauguration was an incredible experience,” said Stephanie Faith ’11. “Afterward, everyone asked me to tell them everything about it, and I tried my best, but you can’t explain the moment standing with two million people all there for one  purpose, to witness history.” 

LEADERSHIP IN A NEW ERA

While the January 20 inauguration and ensuing celebration were certainly highlights of the 2009 JanTerm for most Austin College students in D.C., the term offered a very   educational experience for the participants in the “Leadership in a New Era” course. Students heard from Congressional liaisons, legislative directors, CEOs, and other experts concerning political leadership transition for the new administration.

Students attended seminars concerning foreign policy, energy, healthcare, the administration’s relationship with Congress, and other challenges facing the incoming administration. Williams said he tried very hard to give students a balanced view of all the issues by inviting speakers who represented Republican and Democrat points of view.

The JanTerm allowed students to take advantage of their visit in one of the country’s most historic cities by touring sites such as the White House, Newseum, Capitol Hill, the Holocaust Museum, and the International Spy Museum. Students also received exclusive tours of the Israeli and Chinese embassies. “The advantage we have at the Osgood Center is that we’re physically located right in the middle of the think tank government operations of the city,” Williams said.

YOUTH MOVEMENT

Surreal, unimaginable, wonderful, electric, and yes, even spiritual were words used by Austin College students attempting to capture the experience of attending the  inauguration. The vast majority of students, no matter their political leanings, took an impressive sense of ownership in the 2008 election. They were first-time voters and very aware of the fact that the winner would be leading the country when they graduate.

“Like many students, this was the first presidential election that really impacted me,” said Merritt O’Boyle ’11, an English and psychology double major. “The issues on the table are so much more real to me now. In two short years, I may be out of school for good and issues like health insurance strike close to home. The president will be my president in a way different from ever before, now that I’m a legal adult. 

Despite voting in Texas, a state that Republican John McCain carried, O’Boyle didn’t feel her vote for Obama was marginalized in any way. “I had been able to vote for two years and had exercised this right in the gubernatorial race and others, but something about deciding who to place in charge of your country is just empowering,” she said. “It wasn’t necessarily that my vote would be the deciding factor; it meant a lot to me personally to be able to say that I voted for him.”

The sense of hope, inclusion, and empowerment in the political process felt by the next generation just might be the most impressive change of all of the 2008 election. “This is the first election I can cite that the candidate whom the vast majority of young people supported actually won,” said Abbas Ravjani ’04, who was a Texas delegate for Obama at the Democratic National Convention and is in his final year of law school at Yale University. “President Obama was a candidate that related to our generation — from staying up-to-date on his Blackberry to taking time out to shoot hoops, he connected with a wide range of new voters in an unprecedented fashion. How President Obama harnesses this hunger from young people will be one of his defining legacies.”

It was hard to miss students’ excitement on campus in the days leading up to and following Obama’s inauguration. Whether it was his own youth — at 47, Obama became the fifth youngest president ever elected — a fist-bumping image, or savvy use of new media, Obama connected with the nation’s young people, perhaps more effectively than any presidential candidate.

The Obama team created a modern, technology “machine” that gave Obama a presence on myriad social networks; sent — and responded to — innumerable email and text messages (with a reported email database of 10 million); filmed videos, offered ringtones; posted thousands of hours of content on YouTube; and built BarackObama.com, with its MyBarackObama social network, which according to the Washington Post, signed on more than a million participants. This machine mobilized volunteers, solicited funds, and inspired millions. Content could be loaded onto cell phones, accessed online, and transmitted instantly.

“For me in my busy day, the Internet was the fastest and most accessible way to stay posted on the candidates, the election process, and polls,” said Jeff Ridenour ’11. “I believe this campaign’s use of the Internet played a significant role in updating and   keeping the youth of our nation involved and interested.”

Rachel Mims ’11 noticed campaigning done through Facebook and MySpace — popular online social networking Web sites that she said most young people log into at least once a day. “The use of the Internet in the 2008 election was one of the best moves made in campaigning,” she said. “I’m one of those million young adults that found out more about the candidates through groups located on Facebook. This new use of the Internet has changed the way campaigning will be done forever.”

Merritt O’Boyle ’11 said she used the Internet to share her views and debate with others on political issues and candidates during the campaign. “The Internet is an incredibly effective way to reach out, especially to young adults,” she said. “I definitely used the Internet to get involved and let my voice be heard. The Internet played a big part, and I’m not sure Obama could’ve raised the volunteer power or funds he did without it.”

More people gave to the Obama campaign than any campaign in history, according to ABC News reports. Team Obama estimated its total number of donors to be just shy of four million. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the Obama  campaign raised more than $650 million in individual donations (88 percent of his total campaign funds). Part of Obama’s success in reaching not only the individual vote, but also the individual pocketbook stems from his campaign’s ability to take the grassroots movement online.

Austin College alumnus and senior trustee Ron Kirk ‘76 has been selected by President Barack Obama to serve as the United States Trade Representative. This Cabinet-level   appointment is the first to be held by a graduate of Austin College. 

“Austin College is proud of Ron’s success in Texas, and I am sure he will be equally successful as he works with world leaders,” said Oscar C. Page, president of Austin College. “Ron’s leadership at the state and local level is impressive, and these e experiences have prepared him well to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative for the new administration.”

Kirk’s appointment was announced by Obama on December 19 at a press conference in Chicago. “As mayor of Dallas, Ron helped steer one of the world’s largest economies,” Obama said. “During his tenure as mayor, Ron brought different groups together to create jobs, invest in the community, and spur economic growth.” In accepting his nomination, Kirk said that “trade can help us create jobs at home and encourage development broad.”

A native of Austin, Texas, Kirk came to Austin College in 1972, graduating in 1976 with a degree in political science and sociology. Kirk then attended law school at the University of Texas, where he earned his J.D. degree in 1979. Soon after, he began working for U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen in Washington, D.C., which was followed by political positions as Dallas assistant city attorney, Texas secretary of state, and Dallas mayor. At the time of the announcement, he was a partner at the Dallas offices of the Houston-based law firm of Vinson & Elkins.

At press time, Kirk was yet to be confirmed.

March 2009  

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bama’s rise was meteoric and has made him a presidential celebrity perhaps not seen  since John F. Kennedy. In the days before the inauguration, D.C. memorabilia shops were cashing in on the euphoria, selling record numbers of Obama bobbleheads, calendars, belt buckles, t-shirts, and other merchandise.

In January, media outlets reported that bids opened at $100,000 on eBay for a 2005 Chrysler 300C formerly owned by Obama, though the car’s actual value is closer to $15,000.

Even sports teams have jumped on the Obama bandwagon. The Brooklyn Cyclones, a minor league baseball team, announced it will change its name to the “Baracklyn” Cyclones in a June ticket sales promotion.

“Being in the city before the inauguration was amazing,” said Stefanie Faith ’11, a history major who participated in the JanTerm course in D.C. “You could feel the energy and excitement every time you stepped outside. Obama mania hit the streets, and I was a part of it.”

Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to make any political statement or  endorsement, but to share students’ experiences as they participated in the historic culmination of the first presidential election in which most had participated. 

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