March/April 2009

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President Lee C. Bollinger called the inauguration viewing an “opportunity to be part of something you can be certain will be remembered for ages to come.” Photo: Eileen BarrosoWith numb fingers and warm hearts, thousands packed the steps of Low Library on a chilly January 20 to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama ’83, the first College alumnus to lead the United States.

Standing shoulder to shoulder in front of a JumboTron screen, students, faculty, staff and neighbors watched in awe as Obama took the oath to become the 44th President and the first African-American to hold the nation’s highest office. When the steps of Low were filled, people lined College Walk alongside the screen, leaned on railings and stood on benches for a view of the proceedings. Oblivious to the sub-freezing temperatures and puffs of snow blowing off Low’s roof, the crowd wore only jackets, smiles and tears of joy.

“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics … The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

— President Barack Obama ’83 during his inauguration speech

“There’s a general sense of enthusiasm about politics,” said Parinitha Sastry ’11, left, with Gaia Goffe ’11. Photo: Ethan Rouen ’04J“It seemed inevitable, but to actually have it happen is amazing,” said Gabriel Moyer-Perez ’11, a history major. “He closely mirrors what we hold as our values. It’s really refreshing to see someone in charge who cares about science and knowledge, the things we care about.”

President Lee C. Bollinger’s office provided hot chocolate and cider to the 7,500 people who spent most of their morning on campus, and Bollinger greeted the crowd shortly before the procession of dignitaries began in Washington, D.C.

“Every now and then in life, you get the opportunity to be part of something you can be certain will be remembered for ages to come,” he said. “Today the entire world, it seems, is convening to witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

“It feels as if history has all come together for this one brilliant moment, everything resolved in the best possible way and offering us the potential for a much better world,” he added. “And, so, we might say, Stand Columbia and let the world share with us our pride in being part of this defining moment in history, unembarrassed about our high hopes for the future, and glad to be part of an institution with a commitment to learn actively and to act wisely.”

Emotions were evident on the faces of many who gathered to watch the inauguration of the first Columbia graduate to hold the office of President of the United States, Barack Obama ’83. Photos: Eileen Barroso; Snowman photo: Ethan Rouen ’04J

Students from the School at Columbia cheered and waved blue and white pompons. The crowd clapped for Aretha Franklin and roared as Obama was sworn in.

“It’s really an amazing experience,” Gaia Goffe ’11 said. “This is a historic moment, and we’re glad we have that connection with Obama.” Echoed Mary Ghadimi ’11, “I think it’s fitting that the first African-American President comes from Columbia.”

“It seemed inevitable, but to actually have it happen is amazing,” said Gabriel Moyer-Perez ’11, left, with Margo Stuchin ’11. Photo: Ethan Rouen ’04JThe Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day also marked the first day of classes, but walking through University buildings gave the impression that it was a holiday. Many professors cancelled their classes or let their students out in time to watch the proceedings. Offices were largely vacant. The only signs of life were found near every available television or computer monitor, where spectators huddled around the glow of Obama’s inauguration.

Classrooms may have been empty, but having an alumnus in the nation’s highest office likely will inspire students to work harder.

“There’s a general sense of enthusiasm about politics,” said Parinitha Sastry ’11, an economics and math major and a member of the Roosevelt Institution, a student think tank. “I hear a lot more discourse. I hear a lot more people being excited, more people coming to political organization meetings.”

“This is going to open doors not only for the College but also for people who are part of the Col­umbia community,” says Anthony Pascua ’10, right, with Hanako Maeda ’10.Photo: Ethan Rouen ’04JThat enthusiasm, combined with their educations and Obama’s example, is enough to give students hope for their futures.

“This is going to open doors, not only for the College but also for people who are part of the Columbia community,” says Anthony Pascua ’10, a political science major. “Everyone who belongs to this school is excited. Columbia will benefit and ride on the coattails of Barack Obama.”

Columbia alumni played a vital role in Obama’s grueling, two-year campaign, and they will continue to be important in the new administration.

Eric Holder Jr. ’73, ’76L is the first black attorney general, re­placing Michael Mukasey ’63, who served under President George W. Bush (see January/February “Around the Quads”). Holder was a senior legal adviser in Obama’s campaign and among those who vetted the selection of Joe Biden for Vice President.

Another member of Obama’s inner circle is Julius Genachow­ski ’85, who now heads the Federal Communications Commission (see “Alumni in the News”) and who worked with Obama’s transition team. Genachowski, a technology expert, clerked for Supreme Court justices David Souter and William Brennan.

The crowd, estimated at 7,500, fell silent as Obama took the oath of office to become the country’s 44th President, then erupted in cheers following the historic moment. Photos: Eileen Barroso

Obama last appeared on campus in September, when he advocated for public service for all during ServiceNation, but his time at Columbia in the early 1980s is shrouded in mystery and has become an obsession of some in the media.

Obama transferred to Columbia from Occidental College in Los Angeles in his junior year. Few of his classmates remember seeing him at school, and he has said little about his experience at the College except that he spent much of his time in the library, getting serious about his studies and planning for his future.

His junior-year roommate, Phil Boerner ’84, who knew Obama at Occidental before both transferred to Columbia, remembers him as a serious, thoughtful student who also took time out to have a beer at The West End or enjoy typical New York experiences like long walks down Broadway and visits to the museums (see January/February “Alumni Corner”).

“Barack wasn’t thinking about becoming President when he was in college; he wanted to be a writer,” Boerner wrote. “Based on my six years of knowing him in college and the years immediately after, I can vouch that Barack is a man of character, and I trust him to do the right thing when he is President.”

Click here to watch President Lee Bollinger's speech during the inauguration.

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