WIU a 'Neighborhood Ball' site on inauguration night

University Housing and Dining Services and Sodexo Campus Services at WIU received a surprise, yet welcome, call early on Jan. 19 from the Presidential Inauguration Committee.
Western’s Macomb campus was selected as one of some 60 sites across the nation—and essentially narrowed to one of three campuses nationwide—to host a “Neighborhood Ball,” which was webcast live on YouTube, Flickr and Twitter, and featured on ABC network’s inaugural coverage.

“We were among just a few universities, along with the University of Florida and Kansas State, Students in Bayliss/Henninger waved flags and chanted “Obama,” “WIU” and “U.S.A” during a live webcast that was picked up by ABC. to serve as site for a Neighborhood Ball,” said Matt Bierman ‘97 MBA ‘03, director of residential life. “The majority of sites were restaurants, community centers and major public gathering places.”

The idea of a ‘Neighborhood Ball’ was conceived by then president-elect Obama to include people from neighborhoods across the U.S. Eva Galbraith ‘99, WIU’s Sodexo marketing director, put WIU in the running in December (2008) by registering WIU on a website created by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

“Since we hadn’t heard anything, we thought we didn’t make the cut. Then we got the call that morning,” Bierman added.

Staff from Sodexo and Residence Life coordinated efforts in the recently remodeled Underground in the Bayliss/Henninger complex to give students the opportunity to be a part of history in the making. Participants enjoyed refreshments and music as they watched the inauguration on TV and participated in the live webcast.

When the broadcast went live, hundreds of students, joined by Rocky, showed their enthusiasm by waving tiny American flags and chanting “Obama,” “WIU” and “U.S.A.” The webcast was streamed onto a video wall in the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. at the Neighborhood Ball in D.C. and select webcasts were picked up by ABC and broadcast nationally.

Many of the participating students talked about Obama’s commitments to students.

“Barack Obama is really the president for our generation,” said Chris Mortimer, a junior law enforcement and justice administration (LEJA) major from McHenry (IL). “He’s really going to do things to help with grants, loans and other things for our schools. It’s really a celebration to say thank you and celebrate the history of this event.”

All of Western’s dining centers broadcast the Neighborhood Ball webcasts during the evening meal hours.

“It was fantastic,” Bierman said. “Regardless of political affiliation, President Obama is obviously committed in getting students involved. This was a great opportunity for our students to come out and show their interest in government.”

Photo: Students in Bayliss/Henninger waved flags and chanted “Obama,” “WIU” and “U.S.A” during a live webcast that was picked up by ABC.

Front Page Articles  |  1  |  2  | More... |