Matt O'Neill

The inauguration of President Obama signifies only the beginning. “Yes We Can” cannot yet be “Yes We Did.” President Obama still faces many challenges at home and abroad, none of which will be immediately resolved by his taking the Oath of Office. As we take in today’s historic events, let us remember that it is what President Obama does after today that will ultimately determine the success of his presidency.

Ben Cohen

Tonight, we will be witnessing history. The first African-American President of the United States will be sworn into office. He will usher in an era of change and hope for this country, and it will all begin once he’s placed his hand on a Bible, sworn an oath and put up some pictures of his kids in the Oval Office. And I wasn’t invited. What injustice! I spent an entire semester brown-nosing Barack Obama in the Op-Ed page of a college newspaper, so clearly I was pivotal to his election, yet I didn’t get so much as a “Sorry, bro, we ran out of good seats.” You broke my heart, Barack. Before you can repair the economy, you’ll need to repair my feelings.

But at least you’re not Sarah Palin.

John Kenny

The two leading presidential candidates for the Democratic Party were an African-American and a woman. These candidacies, which would have been unthinkable 40 years ago, are a tribute to the activism of the ’60s that civilized our country. The activism of the ’60s and subsequent years happened because students and other people organized and fought for real change. Though President Barack Obama’s election is inspiring, we should be quick to remember from the example of the ’60s that real change and progress more often comes from struggles on the ground than from beneficence above.

Kamaria Cartledge

Since early on, Americans have spoken about the “American Dream,” the belief that any American can accomplish anything if they set their mind to it. But until Obama was elected, I did not believe the American Dream applied to every citizen. Before Obama was elected, I believed there were specific criteria Americans had to meet to accomplish the American Dream. Over and over, only white males with a strong financial background were elected, but Obama represents all of America. He is an ordinary man who accomplished his dream and showed all of America that you do not have to be a rich, white male to be the president of the United States. Now I can honestly say that I am proud to be an American.

Sai Folmsbee

The American people can expect President Barack Obama to bring back a respectful use of science in government. His nominee for Secretary of Energy, Nobel Laureate Steven Chu, vowed to use his scientific expertise to fight the energy crisis. Obama’s pick for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa Jackson, went before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and said that she “will let science be the guide in making the decision and the rule of law.” The scientific community can look forward to a seat at the table in the Obama administration.

Angelique McNaughton

Barack Obama may have one of the most progressive presidential terms in history. His election alone is evidence of the progressive direction our country is heading in. But I, like most of Americans, have been holding my breath to see if he really is the man for the job. Many have spoken out against the policies and actions that were in effect under President Bush. Obama’s policies and proposals could mean a big change for our government and our country. I believed what Obama said in his campaigns and as long as it wasn’t all bullocks, I stand behind our new President. Obama has the capacity to accomplish for this country what it needs, so let’s see if he dives in head first for us.

Tyler Holmes

Paintings, dishes, coins, stamp covers: Flipping through the channels this weekend, I could only wonder, “This is how we’re supposed to commemorate a new president — by buying stuff?” I always thought that the presidential inauguration was remarkable because it demonstrated the brilliance of our constitution. I was wrong. According to the guy on the Home Shopping Network, the point of a historical moment is to buy a coin treated by their “patented colorization process” with Barack Obama’s face on it. Well, got to go, the clock on the bottom of the screen is ticking.