Inauguration 2009
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
As Barack Obama prepares to take the oath of office of President of the United States of America, the University of Chicago is sponsoring a number of events in Chicago and Washington to celebrate and commemorate the event.
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. Their stories, photos, videos and essays will be posted beginning Monday and throughout the week at the University's Chicago Studies site.
On Campus
The University is making plans to televise the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 20 in the Reynolds Club, in a celebration that is open to all students, faculty and staff. Other events range from rebroadcasts of the swearing-in and inaugural speech to an inaugural ball for students.
The commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Week will also look forward toward the inauguration of President Obama. Rev. Joseph Lowery, the renowned civil rights leader who was selected to give the benediction at President Obama’s inauguration, will give the address at the University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Service at Rockefeller Chapel on Thursday, Jan. 15 from 12–1 pm. A reception will follow.
In Washington
Members of the University community who plan to be in Washington, D.C., to witness the inauguration are invited to take part in a series of special events, including a panel discussion with University affiliates who took part in the campaign, an economic forecast dinner and a on open house near the parade route. Registration is required and space is limited—please see a full listing for details.
