Inauguration Brews Excitement

“It obviously is reflective of an increased number of visitors to the district,” University Spokeswoman Stacy Kerr said. “It’s a precautionary measure to make sure university services remain accessible.”

Ethan Chess (COL ’14) and his roommates will play host to four guests during the inauguration, doubling the occupancy of his apartment to eight. 

“I think this is going to be a great chance to showcase Georgetown to all my friends,” Chess said. “We have a street apartment so we won’t need to worry about IDs or anything like that.”

According to Department of Public Safety Chief Jay Gruber, the university will not have increased security on Inauguration Day, although all DPS officers will be on duty despite Monday’s status as an official university and national holiday.

“Crowds will be smaller, and the inaugural activities will not come close to campus,” Gruber said.

A Full Day of Festivities

In addition to attending the inauguration ceremony and celebrating the event on campus, some students are participating in the dozens of inaugural balls and parties across the District.

Anna Hernick (SFS ’16), who is attending an official inaugural ball, said that she is looking forward to the experience.

“Attending an event like this is an amazing and rare opportunity,” Hernick said. “Like most Georgetown students, I love political events and any excuse to dress up, so attending an inaugural ball is basically a dream come true. I’m also really hoping to catch a glimpse of the president and first lady.”

Others are volunteering for inauguration-related events, such as the Millennium Trains Project’s inauguration ball.

MTP is holding events through the weekend leading up to the inauguration, which Phil Wong (SFS ’15), who volunteers for the non-governmental organization, said was a way of filling a void left by this year’s Presidential Inaugural Committee.

“Last time, Obama held a youth ball for supporters,” Wong said. “That is not the case this time around, so MTP is filling that niche and addressing that audience.”

DePippo said that her experience at the 1981 Inaugural Ball underscores one way in which government has changed in the three decades since.

“It made you realize how accessible the U.S. was back then — that a group of college girls could actually be part of the inaugural events,” DePippo said.

Many alumni look back fondly on their memories of inauguration, but James Lynch (C ’51) missed out on attending Harry Truman’s inauguration in 1949.

“Stupidly, I stayed home to study for my civics exam the next day,” Lynch said. “It was a wonderful opportunity to go to Inauguration Day, and I stayed home to study and I've never forgiven myself.”

Current students are determined not to miss out on this year’s inauguration.

“Years from now … I want to tell my kids with a lot of pride that I was there when the first black president was sworn in if not for the first time, for the second time,” Tezel said.

Hoya Staff Writers Eitan Sayag and Molly DePippo contributed reporting.