Chicago Studies

Students of the College Cover the Inauguration

Latest Stories: Video of the Inauguration
Personal Essays: Hannah Fine, Thalia Gigerenzer, Sara Jerome, Laurel Mylonas-Orwig, Arieh Smith, Chase Weldon

Undergraduate journalists from the University of Chicago have spread out through Chicago and Washington, D.C. this week to capture the historic events surrounding the inauguration of President Barack Obama and Martin Luther King Day.

From the inauguration parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue to viewing parties at the University of Chicago’s Reynolds Club, from community service activities on Chicago’s South Side to a panel discussion among campaign insiders in Washington, they will report the sights and sounds of these memorable days, and reflect on their experiences.

Sara Jerome, a fourth-year student, won a writing contest sponsored by the Chicago Careers in Journalism program and the College, which is funding her reporting trip to Washington. Photographer Chris Salata and Laurel Mylonas-Orwig, both fourth-years, will join her there.

In Chicago, the student-journalists include Supriya Sinhababa, Claire McNear, Ella Christoph, Michael Lipkin, Rachel Cromidas, Cela Sutton, Tal Kopan, Thalia Gigerenzer, Arieh Smith, Katie Buitrago, Hannah Fine, Juan-Pablo Velez, Kelin Hall, and Chase Weldon.

Their stories, photos, videos, and essays will be posted here throughout the week.

REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON D.C.

1/29/09  Video of the Inauguration
1/20/09  Chicagoans gather to see Obama become President
Students, staff, and faculty brave crowd and cold for exultant moment on the Mall
1/19/09  Getting giddy at the gala
Movers and shakers mingle with party-goers at Illinois State Society event
1/18/09  From Hyde Park to White House
Panel discussion on Obama takes on U of C feel to alumni, guests in D.C.
1/17/09  Tipping their caps to history
Throng of eager onlookers braves cold in Baltimore to greet whistle-stop tour

REPORTS FROM CHICAGO

1/22/09  Thousands gather on campus to view inauguration
Students put aside their studies, meals and games — but not their opinions
1/20/09  Obama haunts proclaim: ‘He’s one of us’
Connections to president spark pride as well as local economy
1/20/09  Things change slowly, scholars remind revelers
Panel sees small but irrevocable differences in inauguration’s content
1/20/09  Michelle’s grade school throws a party
Bouchet students march and re-enact the oath, sing, and dance
1/20/09  At DuSable, a new milestone is hailed
Celebration at South Side museum marks Obama’s place in African American journey
1/20/09  Hyde Park diner toasts a regular-turned-President
Proud locals share history, stories of favorite son at Valois Cafeteria
1/20/09  On campus, inauguration is must-see TV
Staffers take break from daily routines to watch ‘history in the making’
1/19/09  Hope for an all-inclusive inauguration
Obama team member makes it his job to encourage diversity among all groups
1/19/09  Kids' views: MLK and Obama
Students at Ray Elementary School illustrate themes of compassion and change through essays, drawings.
1/15/09  MLK Day more than ‘just social service’
Rev. Lowery hopes King’s desire for change not lost in holiday observance
1/17/09  Volunteer’s tale: Day of Service
‘Force’ is strong in University students inspired to give back to community
1/15/09  Lowery sees King’s dream in Obama
Civil rights leader says election realizes King's hope to move nation beyond color

The Obama administration made Tuesday's inauguration as accessible as possible to the public, and record crowds lined the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to witness history. Photo: Dan Dry

Barack Obama, with his hand on the bible used in Abraham Lincoln's inauguration, takes the presidential oath Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Photo: Dan Dry

President President Obama speaks after being sworn in Tuesday. Photo: Dan Dry

Serena Hohmann, AM'06, enjoys the "We Are One" concert with friends Sunday in Washington D.C. Hohmann, who works at the State Department, joined the throng gathered on the National Mall to watch musical performances as well as speeches by Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Photo: Chris Salata

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave to the crowd as they walk the parade route Tuesday. Photo: Chris Salata

The University community came out in droves across campus Tuesday to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama. Mandel Hall hosted a viewing and discussion of the historic event. Photo: Lloyd DeGrane

An employee at Valois Cafeteria—a longtime Obama hangout—take time out to watch Tuesday's inaugural program. Photo: Thalia Gigerenzer

The pre-kindergarten students of Bouchet Math and Science Academy dress up for their own "Inauguration Ball." Photo: Rachel Cromidas

Austan Goolsbee, center, took part in a panel discussion Sunday titled "From Hyde Park to the White House." Goolsbee, a professor at Chicago Booth, has been appointed to two key economic positions in the Obama administration. Photo: Dan Dry

President Zimmer speaks with an attendee at Monday night’s Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala in Washington, D.C. Photo: Dan Dry

Rev. Joseph Lowery delivered the keynote address at Thursday's MLK commemoration service at Rockfeller Memorial Chapel. The civil rights leader urged the audience to become "chaplains of the common good" and heed the principles of Martin Luther King Jr. Photo: Beth Rooney

Second-year Joe Tomino and fourth-year Luke Rodehorst prepare a stairwell for painting at Fiske Elementary School. Photo: Rachel Cromidas

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PERSONAL ESSAYS