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Inauguration of President Barack Obama

January 20, 2009

The Washington College community gathered to witness the inauguration and swearing-in ceremonies of President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.

Where were you? WC students, alumni, faculty, and staff: please send photos of your experience during the inauguration to sbrill2@washcoll.edu.

Click to enlarge photos.

Students, faculty, and staff gather to witness a moment that will define a generation.
Students, faculty, and staff gather to witness a moment that will define a generation.
Excited citizens watched the inauguration ceremonies for the 44th President of the United States.
Excited citizens watched the inauguration ceremonies for the 44th President of the United States.
Onlookers listen to cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and pianist Gabriella Montero perform their ode to Mr. Obama, a piece created by famed <em>Star Wars</em> composer John Williams.
Onlookers listen to cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and pianist Gabriella Montero perform their ode to Mr. Obama, a piece created by famed Star Wars composer John Williams.
The Casey Academic Center Forum was filled with members of the community who wanted to share the occasion with their fellow citizens.
The Casey Academic Center Forum was filled with members of the community who wanted to share the occasion with their fellow citizens.
President Barack Obama takes the oath of office.
President Barack Obama takes the oath of office.
Goldstein Hall Faculty Secretary Cindy Licata snapped shots of the televised broadcast via cellphone to document history in the making.
Goldstein Hall Faculty Secretary Cindy Licata snapped shots of the televised broadcast via cellphone to document history in the making.
Patricia Ephraim '05; Catherine Everitt '05; Amanda Smallwood '05; Johanna Bjornsdottir '05
Washington College alumni at the National Mall: Patricia Ephraim '05; Catherine Everitt '05; Amanda Smallwood '05; Johanna Bjornsdottir '05.
Kris Kelley '11 takes to the ice, accompanying Rosey Deegan '12, Tracey Spielberger '11 and Patrick Ortalli '12.
Kris Kelley '11 takes to the ice, accompanying Rosey Deegan '12, Tracey Spielberger '11 and Patrick Ortalli '12 at the inauguration.
Spectators applaud and cheer for their new president.
Spectators applaud and cheer for their new president.
Director of the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience Adam Goodheart attended the inauguration.
Director of the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience Adam Goodheart attended the inauguration.
Inauguration photo provided by Adam Goodheart.
Photo: Adam Goodheart
Inauguration photo provided by Adam Goodheart.
Photo: Adam Goodheart
Bush's helicopter transports him from the Capitol.
Bush's helicopter transports him from the Capitol after the ceremony. Photo: Adam Goodheart

Discussion of the Inauguration

January 21, 2009

Students and faculty reflected upon the moment in national history with an impromptu dialogue in the Rose O'Neill Literary House.

Director of the Rose O'Neill Literary House Joshua Wolf Shenk and Assistant Professor of Drama Michele Volansky hosted a discussion of President Obama's inauguration speech.
Director of the Rose O'Neill Literary House Joshua Wolf Shenk and Assistant Professor of Drama Michele Volansky hosted a discussion of President Obama's inauguration speech.
Literary House Assistant Director Kate Bursick hands out copies of the transcript of Obama's speech for guests to refer to during the talk.
Literary House Assistant Director Kate Bursick hands out copies of the transcript of Obama's speech for guests to refer to during the talk.
Assistant Professor of Drama Michele Volansky, deemed "our resident expert on political rhetoric" by Lit House Director Josh Shenk, leads the discussion.
Assistant Professor of Drama Michele Volansky, deemed "our resident expert on political rhetoric" by Lit House Director Josh Shenk, leads the discussion.
Aubrey Bemis '09 and Erin Stebbings '09 grab seats on the staircase to listen in.
Aubrey Bemis '09 and Erin Stebbings '09 grab seats on the staircase to listen in.
Rebecca Akdeniz '12 comments on her unexpected positive response to Obama's speech.
Rebecca Akdeniz '12 comments on her unexpected positive response to Obama's speech.
Faith Erline '09 shares her opinions.
Faith Erline '09 shares her opinions.
Allison Novak '10 joins the discussion.
Allison Novak '10 joins the discussion.
A view of the discussion from above.
A view of the discussion from above.
Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies Andrew Oros shares his opinions and anecdotes from his experience during this year's inauguration.
Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies Andrew Oros shares his opinions and anecdotes from his experience during this year's inauguration.
Volansky articulates her thoughts about some of Obama's specific choices during the address.
Volansky articulates her thoughts about some of Obama's specific choices during the address.
The impromptu discussion, planned only a day in advance, was held in the Literary House.
The impromptu discussion, planned only a day in advance, was held in the Literary House.
Literary House Director Joshua Wolf Shenk refers to a transcript of the speech while commenting about its language. Shenk said he was moved by the "concision, imagery, and sheer rhetorical muscle of President Obama's speech."
Literary House Director Joshua Wolf Shenk refers to a transcript of the speech while commenting about its language. Shenk said he was moved by the "concision, imagery, and sheer rhetorical muscle of President Obama's speech."
Zachary Morgan '12 provides another student opinion.
Zachary Morgan '12 provides another student opinion.

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