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POSTLUDE

Inauguration Celebration

More than a million people traveled to Washington, D.C., in January to celebrate Barack Obama’s inauguration as the nation’s 44th president, but GW students had history unfold right outside their doors. Colonials attended special radio programs, helped build a 70-foot parade float, walked to the National Mall to witness the monumental moment, and danced until the wee hours at a sold-out inaugural ball. During the hustle and bustle of one of our nation’s most historic occasions, GW students celebrated their country, and their college, with pride.


The GW float passed in front of President Barack Obama at the Inaugural Parade on Jan. 20. Selected from 1,300 applicants as one of five floats to participate, the 70-foot GW float featured symbols and students representing the University’s nine schools.

Larry Downing/Reuters


A picture honoring GW’s participation in the Inaugural Parade was projected on the side of GW’s Gelman Library at the Inaugural Pep Rally in Kogan Plaza Jan. 19.

Jessica McConnell

President Steven Knapp lent his support as students showed off the completed float during the Inaugural Pep Rally.

Jessica McConnell


Talk-radio hosts Stephanie Miller, Randi Rhodes, Bill Press, and Errol Louis discussed the role of progressive talk radio at past presidential inaugurations during Obama Radio Nation 2009, televised live from GW’s Lisner Auditorium Jan. 18. BBC Radio 4’s political show Any Questions? also broadcasted live from GW’s Jack Morton Auditorium on Jan. 16.

Jessica McConnell


Students dressed to impress at GW’s fifth Inaugural Ball, held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Northwest Washington on Jan. 20. With more than 5,000 guests, the ball was the largest-ever for the University.

Jessica McConnell