As history was made on Jan. 20, MSU students, faculty and staff were glued to televisions at MSU’s International Center – a hub for international and domestic students, faculty and staff.
The hustle of the International Center came to a stand-still as Barack Obama began the oath of office. With every chair filled, students sat on the floor or stood shoulder-to-shoulder to get a good view of history in the making.
Several students in the lobby said the day held special significance as they witnessed the nation's first African-American president take office. And others acknowledged this as the first presidential election in which they were eligible to vote.
“It was truly historic and gives us all hope,” said Amanda Terry, a psychology major from Detroit. “As an African-American myself, I never thought I would see this in my lifetime.”
Terry ran across campus to watch the inauguration in the International Center.
“I thought it would be cool to be at the International Center,” she said.
Terry was not disappointed. The group’s diversity matched the president’s messages of equality and unity.
Applause erupted at the conclusion of President Obama’s inaugural address. The audience appreciated the speech for both its significance and poetic delivery.