Drexel hosts watch party
Naomi Parikh
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: News
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Michele Rovinsky, executive director of the Office of Equality and Diversity, said the estimated turnout was between 600-800 people, and included students, faculty and staff members.
"We expected a good turnout because of the historical significance of this inauguration and because of the location of the watch party in the Great Court of the Main Building," Rovinsky said. "However, the crowd that gathered to watch the inauguration was even bigger than expected."
According to Rovinsky, one could "feel" the excitement as President Obama gave his inaugural address.
Sophomore biology major Aakruti Patel said the watch party was a good idea because it gave many students the chance to watch the address even though they couldn't be in Washington, D.C.
"I thought it was great considering so many people showed up," Patel said. "It seems like everyone was able to be a part of this big event in the history of the United States."
The watch party also featured other opportunities for students to show their support. According to Rovinsky, many people posed for pictures with cardboard cutouts of President Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden and appointed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Nasreen Khan, a freshman physics major who had her picture taken with the cutouts of the president and vice president, said it was a fun experience.
"Even though we all couldn't be in D.C. with Obama, it was still cool to be able to take a picture with his likeness and that of Biden and Clinton," Khan said.
People also had the chance to participate in the Wall of Hope, where they answered a question posed by the offices that hosted the event.
"We created a Wall of Hope and asked those in attendance to answer the question 'What do you hope Barack Obama will facilitate during his presidency?' Rovinsky said. "People put their responses on cards that were then attached to the Wall of Hope."
Rovinsky said all the responses will be on the new Intercultural Engagement and Diversity Initiative website to be launched at the end of January.
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