KYW Newsradio Team Coverage
The University of the Arts, in center city Philadelphia, marked the inauguration of Barack Obama artistically -- as you might expect.
KYW's John Ostapkovich reports that students at "U. Arts" crammed into a viewing room and applauded as Barack Obama assumed the presidency.
A few steps away, in a glassy atrium, poster paper was set out on the floor with colored markers nearby, inviting messages to the new chief executive:
(Student #1:) "I said, 'I voted, they listened.' This time everybody went out in large numbers and voted, and they actually felt like the democratic system actually worked."
(Student #2:) "I wrote, 'Yay, Obama,' because I'm glad he's president. And then I wrote " '09 is gonna be fine," because he's going to fix things."
(Student #3:) "I wrote, 'Work it B-Rock,' and I wrote, 'Keep the Hope Alive in '09.' "
And what is her hope for '09?
(Student #3:) "In '09 I'm hoping the economy gets better, more people get jobs."
The theme of the project was change, and with the Obama presidency, change doesn't come much bigger than this.
KYW's Steve Tawa was at Drexel University, where scores of people jammed the great court of the main building for a "watch" party on Inauguration Day.
The entire ground floor, plus the ornate double staircase and arches on the second and third floors were all filled with students, faculty, and staff -- boisterous when appropriate, like when Mr. Obama was sworn in, then captivated and silent, listening to his address.
On one side of the jumbo screen were life-sized cardboard cutouts of the president and vice president, nice photo ops for those with cellphone cameras.
On the other side of the screen was a bulletin board called a "Wall of Hope," on which students answered this question: "What do you hope Barack Obama will facilitate during his presidency?"
Michele Rovinsky, executive director of equality and diversity at Drexel, read aloud some of the answers:
" 'Improvement of race relations in the US and the American image abroad.' 'A just peace in the Middle East.' Another reads, 'I hope President Obama will rule for all the people.' "
KYW's Mike Dunn was at the Kimmel Center on South Broad Street ("Avenue of the Arts"), where some younger students were among those who gathered in groups to watch the swearing in on a big screen.
President Obama's name echoed throughout the Pearlman Theatre as about 400 students from the Independence Charter School watched his swearing in. Most said they understood that it was a historic day:
"I think it's pretty cool that we're going to have an African-American president. I think he's a really good pick for this."
(Dunn:) "What do you think so far of what you've seen of the Obama family?"
"I think they're going to be very lucky to have their father be the president, because it's going to be an amazing experience."
Many of the students say they've spoken with their parents about the importance of this event, and one day they plan to speak with their children about it as well.
KYW's Karin Phillips spent the day with hundreds at the National Constitution Center.
People took photos with life-sized Barack Obama cutouts stationed all around the National Constitution Center and participated in discussions and arts and crafts. Matthew Friarson of Voorhees, New Jersey says it's a day of extreme irony:
"Here is a man getting ready to occupy a house that was built by over 400 slaves; that was occupied by black people ever since it was built in the role of servant. And that this man, who looked like me but represents all Americans, will be the person who is living there and being served."
(Photo by KYW's John Ostapkovich)
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