Inauguration Event at the Charlotte Campus
Jan 22, 2009
WINK TV filmed the Charlotte Campus inauguration event this past Tuesday. Go to the following link to see the video: http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=012209-1229560-B001659644. Following is a copy of the article printed in the Charlotte Sun Newspaper Wednesday, 1/21: Inauguration rouses spirits of Edison students By GREG MARTIN STAFF WRITER PUNTA GORDA — Emotions ran high for many of the students who watched President Barack Obama’s inauguration on television from the cafeteria of the Edison State College Charlotte Campus Tuesday. Several interviewed said they feel Obama’s presidency represents the bridging of racial divides and the setting of a new direction for American leadership. A few, however, were more reserved in their reactions. While welcoming the fact that Obama made history by becoming America’s first black president, they also indicated they remain skeptical of his political leadership. During the inaugural benediction, student Eva Haynes bowed her head to join in the prayer. Afterward, she was asked what she was feeling. Smiling with tear-filled eyes, she could only muster two words: “Very emotional.†“I feel he’s history in the making,†said Mazoe Bobby Kamara, a student who aspires to be a social worker. “Martin Luther King — he had a dream, and this is the dream. I think all Americans will come together, and he’s the one who’s going to do it.†For Kamara, who is from Liberia, Africa, Obama’s victory has extra meaning because Obama’s father was African and his mother worked as a social worker. Kamara said his siblings and other relatives in Africa have have called him and his parents in the United States to share jubilation over Obama’s victory. “They are excited,†said Kamara. “They feel Obama will be a great leader.†Edison’s faculty allowed students at all of the college’s four campuses to skip classes to watch the inauguration, said Tom Rath, dean of academic affairs at the Punta Gorda campus. The other campuses are located in Naples, Fort Myers and LaBelle. “I think there’s a historic element to this,†he said. Rath said excitement about the race between Obama and U.S. Sen. John McCain seemed to inspire students to participate in the political process. Nursing student Tana Kidwell said she hopes Obama will succeed in getting the nation’s economy back on track. Kidwell suggested higher tariffs on imports to help bring back America’s factories. Student Jamie Bray said she hopes Obama’s election will inspire America to be more open “to all races and genders.†“I’m hoping that someday, this will allow a woman to become president,†she added. A few students weren’t so taken by Obama’s inauguration. “It’s a historical moment; it’s not my moment,†said Christina McDowell, a nursing student. “Everybody’s looking for a reason to hope and he represents something different right now,†she said. Student Philippe Lauture, however, said he felt “very happy†watching the inauguration. “I’m very hopeful he’ll come through,†Lauture said. “He’s said everything I wanted to hear.â€
Last Updated: January 22, 2009
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