The Fairfield’ University campus was buzzing with talk of the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States.’ All across campus groups of students and faculty gathered to witness one of the most historic moments of our time. About 30 people went to watch the ceremony at the Quick Center where they set up a projector in their auditorium for students and faculty to enjoy. In the Barone’ Campus Center’s lower level, a projector showing the entire Inauguration was set up, and chairs were arranged. Red, white, and blue balloons were tied to the railings and downstairs, were a table of a red, white, and blue cupcakes.
‘It was crazy how everyone walking through the campus center stopped immediately and just stood there watching’ said Lauren Lipyanka ’10. For many students of Fairfield, this was the first election that they could take part in, and it was apparent that they wanted to see the culmination of this election. Even after President Obama’s speech, students were still leaning over the railings watching the rest of the afternoon’s events.
This sense of common identity could be seen by students and faculty alike throughout the day.’ Professor Yvonne Conybeare, who teaches theater at Fairfield University, said there was a feeling of nationalism everywhere from Grand Central Station, her Metro North train, and all around campus. She described it as a ‘rallying of a nation’ to which she added is ‘for a very good reason.’
All these feelings were brought together for Conybeare and other viewers who watched the inaugural speech from the multimedia room in the campus library.’ The room was completely filled to maximum capacity.’ Students and faculty dragged in chairs from study tables and some even sat on the floor so they could watch this historic event.’ When the final words of the oath were said, the room erupted in what Conybeare called a ‘moving applause.’
Despite all the celebration, a concern for many students was not being able to watch the ceremony due to classes scheduled during that time.
‘Watching the inauguration in an academic setting was important,’ said Nicole Sweeney ’10, ‘because it allowed me to put such a monumental event in the context of what I was learning.’ Sweeney and the rest of her Comparative Politics class started watching the ceremony streamed online during class, but when it wasn’t working, the entire class went to the library.
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