Connecticut College News

Although the inauguration of President Barack Obama coincided with the first day of classes, many students, received e-mails from professors informing them that class was canceled. Other students just decided not to go to class at all. Crowded around in dorms, common rooms and auditoriums on campus, students, faculty and staff alike watched Rick Warren´s unforgettable " ... and his daughters, Malia and SAAASHAAAA!," Aretha Franklin´s epic hat and, of course, the inauguration of our groundbreaking 44th president. Despite being six hours away from all the action, many students enjoyed the numerous opportunities around campus to view the inauguration. While some chose to watch the inauguration with a small group of friends, others preferred to watch it in large groups, in rooms like Palmer Auditorium. "Watching the inauguration in Palmer was fun. There were a lot of people who could all comfortably view Obama´s face at 20 times the magnification," said freshman Nora Swenson. "It was also nice to see that people stood up to applaud and put their hand over their heart for the National Anthem. I was really glad my teacher let me off early to take part in the event." For many, watching in a large venue like Palmer was a rewarding and enjoyable experience, as students were able to bond with a variety of people in watching the induction of a new political and social era. Many students also chose to view the inauguration in the slightly cozier Unity House. Freshman Madeleine Noi and sophomore Renee Stainrod called it "a day that they will never forget." Stainrod went on to talk about her canceled Italian class, thankful for the professor that let class out early so that students could "watch history in the making with the rest of [their] peers." While most students were able to watch the inauguration live, there were a small number of students still required to got to class -- and most were not happy. "I was upset that the teacher could not wait to start the class one day later, wasting the day on going over the syllabus, which we could´ve done on our own," one student said. "Instead of watching a momentous occasion, I spent my morning doing something that could´ve been put off." Students in this situation watched the inauguration nevertheless, relying on replays and internet videos to catch up on the events.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Amy Martin, 860-439-2526, a.martin@conncoll.edu or Deborah MacDonnell (860) 439-2504, dmacdonn@conncoll.edu