The Eagle Eye

Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: News

Courtesy of Kristen Nebrosky: LHU junior business administration Kristen Nebrosky, along with brother Mitchell (left) and father John (right) attended the inauguration.

The inauguration of President Barack Obama spurred a weekend worth of events and an immeasurable amount of excitement which prompted students and faculty to make the trek to Washington D.C. to witness history.
Each person who made the trip had their own motivations and experiences, but the excitement seemed to be universal.
Dr. Sharon Stringer of the communication media department spent the weekend in the capitol, but returned to the Haven to teach her Tuesday classes.
Stringer says she doesn't regret her decision to forego the crowds for Tuesday's event because she already got to experience the excitement.
That excitement was generated by a variety of events hosted by the People's Inaugural Gala Weekend and Ball. Stringer attended a prayer breakfast, a women's leadership luncheon and a gospel and jazz show.
The women's leadership luncheon featured a panel discussion moderated by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).
The participants included Gloria Steinem, founder and original publisher of Ms. Magazine and a political activist since the 1970s.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Malika Saada of the Rebecca Saar Project and Kierra Johnson of ChoiceUSA also participated at the luncheon.
While in D.C., Stringer felt the joy of the occasion.
"There was so much pride and enthusiasm," Stringer said. "I loved every minute of it."
A group from the Black Student Union was also able to be in D.C. for the historic weekend.
On Monday, the group of six met with the curator of the African American Civil War Museum, and learned about the African American troops that are often forgotten by history.
Freshman LaShae Spratley made the trip to complete her first voting experience.
"I took part in everything else so I might as well keep it going," said Spratley, who volunteered for the Obama campaign.
The next day the group braved long Metro lines and travelled into the capitol from Greenbelt, Md..
Before the inauguration began, Spratley and her group positioned themselves on a hill in front of the Washington Monument, giving them a clear view of a giant screen and within earshot of the speakers.

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