Student Spotlight
What were your thoughts on Obama's Inauguration Speech?
Issue date: 2/9/09 Section: Perspectives
This Perspectives piece was published in the January 26 issue of the Highlander.
"Very nice words spoken with passion and persuasion, as usual. I just hope his words actually mean something. I'd much rather have a president who leads by action, not words. If he wants to unite the nation, he needs to move to the middle and compromise, something he did not do at all in his four years in the Senate."
-- Kevin Hurd, sophomore
"I only saw part of it because I was on my way to class, but I am happy that we finally have a president who speaks with so much passion appears to know what he is talking about. It was also great to see citizens of our country from different races and backgrounds excited and ready for this new era of leadership and change during tough times we face now. I am neither a conservative or liberal. What we need the most now is a strong leader who we can respect, and that is exactly what we as a country decided over in the election."
--George Wilson Sumner IV, senior
"The dining hall was packed with students, faculty, and staff captivated by the ceremony. The atmosphere seemed one of great unity and faith. I felt more secure and confident in our government and how they will go about carrying out domestic and foreign policies. I watched the Inauguration to be a part of history, not just because of Obama's race or ethnicity, not just because 'change'' was coming to America, but because I believe in the power of a collective voice, and because I believe in a democracy that carries out the will of the public to secure our liberties. It may be a long road ahead, one that we must "seize gladly" but it will be a process undertaken with a sense of unity, hope, and progressive determinism."
-- Angela Shugarts, sophomore
"Obama's comments on the future most struck me. Far too often citizens and politicians only worry about today and put the work of tomorrow off until tomorrow. We don't want to work on the foundation of a problem, just the structure built above it. Obama's vision in his speech is not just today, but also for the future."
-- Robert House, senior
"Very nice words spoken with passion and persuasion, as usual. I just hope his words actually mean something. I'd much rather have a president who leads by action, not words. If he wants to unite the nation, he needs to move to the middle and compromise, something he did not do at all in his four years in the Senate."
-- Kevin Hurd, sophomore
"I only saw part of it because I was on my way to class, but I am happy that we finally have a president who speaks with so much passion appears to know what he is talking about. It was also great to see citizens of our country from different races and backgrounds excited and ready for this new era of leadership and change during tough times we face now. I am neither a conservative or liberal. What we need the most now is a strong leader who we can respect, and that is exactly what we as a country decided over in the election."
--George Wilson Sumner IV, senior
"The dining hall was packed with students, faculty, and staff captivated by the ceremony. The atmosphere seemed one of great unity and faith. I felt more secure and confident in our government and how they will go about carrying out domestic and foreign policies. I watched the Inauguration to be a part of history, not just because of Obama's race or ethnicity, not just because 'change'' was coming to America, but because I believe in the power of a collective voice, and because I believe in a democracy that carries out the will of the public to secure our liberties. It may be a long road ahead, one that we must "seize gladly" but it will be a process undertaken with a sense of unity, hope, and progressive determinism."
-- Angela Shugarts, sophomore
"Obama's comments on the future most struck me. Far too often citizens and politicians only worry about today and put the work of tomorrow off until tomorrow. We don't want to work on the foundation of a problem, just the structure built above it. Obama's vision in his speech is not just today, but also for the future."
-- Robert House, senior
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