PEOPLE SWARMED INTO the theater of Baker University Center and around the escalators to watch President Barack Obama deliver his inaugural address yesterday.
On the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, America's first black president was sworn into office. Obama's speech was highly anticipated; more than a million people showed up in Washington to hear the new president speak.
Yesterday's activities began at 10 a.m. and Obama stepped up to the platform shortly after noon. The main theme of the speech was responsibility, but he spoke of everything from the economy to relations with Muslim countries, dictators and poor countries to the duties and obligations of citizenship.
Kevin Stock, a graduate student in film, was at Baker Center for both election night and the inaugural address.
This has drawn out people of every age and social standing. It's pretty interesting
because I think it's the effect that Mr. Obama would like to have Stock said.
Titus Gwemende, a graduate student in communications, noticed something similar.
I'm seeing an inauguration crowd that looks not just like America but like the world. There's no better sight than that
he said.
Several Athens residents and Ohio University students deemed Obama's speech a significant moment in history.
It is certainly the most moving speech I can ever remember hearing
said Bill Bias, president of Athens City Council.
The message of everyone working together to deliver freedom to future generations stood out especially for Bias.
Kira Brown, a freshman dietetics student said, I got chills listening to him. This is an amazing moment in history.
Brown said she was touched by Obama's words. Especially when he said, To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict
or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build
not what you destroy.
The audience in Baker applauded for Obama twice - at the end and when he described himself as, a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
Debbie Phillips (D), state representative for the 92nd District, said, I think that what really strikes me is first of all
the sense of hope and the can-do spirit that was expressed
but also the way President Obama called on all of us together to rise to the occasion.
However, there are concerns about the public's opinion of the Obama administration in the near future.
He faces such unbelievably huge problems that I just hope people give him a chance and don't too quickly say he wasn't up to the task because some of the problems may be insurmountable to a generation
Bias said.
In the short-term the economy is going to worsen, but the long-term prognosis for both the country and Ohio look good, said Jimmy Stewart (R), state senator of the 20th district.
We pulled through deep recession before and always come out stronger so I feel that although the worst is yet to come in the near term
I think in the long term we will emerge a stronger nation
