Students watch inauguration together, thanks to event that was hosted by Indiana Memorial Union

Students and faculty of all ages, nationalities and political preferences came together in one of IU’s most familiar places to view the unfamiliar: President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

The Indiana Memorial Union showed the live CNN broadcast of the swearing-in of the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday in the Frangipani Room.

IMU Catering Supervisor Rachel Campbell said she believes the inauguration showing is one of the biggest events the IMU has hosted this year, estimating about 400 people in attendance. Refreshments were provided beginning at 10:30 a.m., but when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., appeared on the big screen, everyone grew silent.

Junior Delta Sigma Theta Sorority president Janis Crawford said she was excited to see so many people come together. Crawford has been working closely with the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha to help co-sponsor the event.

Sophomore Michael Coleman, public relations chair of Alpha Phi Alpha, said their chapter was excited to be a part of the event.

“A lot of people have helped with the election, and we thought today would be a good chance to help out the campus and the community,” Johnson said.

Debbie Sibbitt, director of Hoosiers for Higher Education at IU, said she is thrilled with the optimism Obama and his administration are bringing.

“This is one of the most remarkable days in history,” Sibbitt said. “You will always remember where you were and what you were doing at this moment.”

Sibbitt said she hopes to see change in our federal government leadership.

“We are all in this together, and we have to give it more than our fair share,” Sibbitt said.

Graduate student Colleen Haas said she thought the event seemed like a great way to see the University come together as a community. As a 40-year-old student and previous employee of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, Haas said she is curious to see if Obama can make some overall changes.

“It’s so encouraging to see people willing to be engaged and involved,” Haas said. “In my generation, people have somewhat lost heart, but it’s good to see a shift occurring.”

Students like sophomore Shawn Walter said they are still trying to recruit students to become more engaged with the election and the community.

As vice president of the IU College Democrats, Walter helped manage more than 200 student volunteers for the Obama campaign this past semester and said it was a great opportunity to get involved.

“The speech was fantastic,” said English Professor Christoph Irmscher. “It was everything I hoped for and more.”

Irmscher said at least 10 of his students traveled to Washington to see the inauguration live, even though they had no tickets or money.

“I would like to see the commitment stay and continue to change the campus,” Irmscher said. “I’m so grateful my children can also be part of the election. Everyone is watching. Even my 8-year-old son didn’t have school today.”