Lanthorn.com

Celebrate Change

By Katie Wendt GVL Staff Writer
1/21/2009

To the music of "Hail to the Chief," the blasts from a 21-gun salute and the cheers of more than two million people, Barack Obama was sworn into office as the 44th president of the U.S. on Tuesday.

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real," Obama said in his first speech delivered as president. "They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America, they will be met."

He addressed the current economic crisis as well as the war and other "indicators of crisis" as the challenges the country is facing. He said the challenges the nation is facing are new, but reminded us our values are old.

Obama also said the American people are hopeful even in the midst of these tough times.

"We gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord," he said.

He added the U.S. remains the most prosperous, powerful nation on earth, but the time of putting off unpleasant decisions has passed.

"We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America," Obama said.

A live stream of the inauguration attracted more than 2,000 students and faculty at Grand Valley State University.

They were able to gather in the Fieldhouse Arena or at one of GVSU's satellite campuses to watch via webcast the ceremony in Washington, D.C.

"This is inspirational," said Thomas J. Haas, GVSU president. "Our children and generations after can point to (Inauguration Day) with integrity that anyone can grow up in our nation and be the president."

He said the inauguration marks a new beginning with a new perspective of the nation's challenges as a leader in the world.

Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center of Presidential Studies at GVSU, said Obama hit all the right notes in his inaugural address, including his reaffirmation in domestic and foreign affairs as well as the sacrifice of the people in uniform.

Whitney said being able to watch the inauguration in the Fieldhouse with a thousand students, faculty and staff from GVSU was unlike any previous inauguration he had witnessed.

"It was quite a moving ceremony and filled my heart with pride," Whitney said. "Everyone there spontaneously stood during the oath of office. Throughout the ceremony there were bursts of applause, an occasional chorus of affirmation and not a few tears."

Chelsea Lane, a GVSU freshman who interned for the Obama campaign, did not make it out to the Fieldhouse, but said she was still excited to watch it as it aired.

"Seeing so many people there to witness President Obama's swearing in really reminded me of the sense of unity I felt with all of the other campaign workers on election night," Lane said. "It always feels good to work for a cause and then to see your goal realized."

She added she believed the most striking line in Obama's speech was when he stated we would "no longer have to choose between our safety and ideals." For Lane, that phrase made a deliberate, but graceful distinction between this new administration and the recent issues our nation has faced.

"I know Obama will not be able to solve all of our country's problems, but I do think he has the ability to revitalize a lot of the feelings of hope and optimism that will get us through our current struggles," Lane said.

She added although optimism is not as tangible as new laws and policies, she believes it can be just as powerful.

kwendt@lanthorn.com

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