Jersey City, NJ – Two top political science students from Saint Peter’s College are serving as ambassadors for the College at The Washington Center’s Inauguration Program in Washington, D.C., from January 10 through 20, 2009. They will also be in attendance at the historic inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
Seniors Christopher DePizzo and Edward Hennessy are scheduled to phone-in live to Saint Peter’s on January 20, and report on the events taking place in the nation’s capital, during a daylong viewing event that the College is hosting to commemorate this significant inauguration.
Saint Peter’s will provide a live telecast of Inauguration Day events beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the McIntyre Lounge on Saint Peter’s Jersey City campus. Throughout the day, the College will honor black history with a number of relevant presentations: Video footage of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s "I Have a Dream” speech; a display of mementos from Dr. King’s visit to the College in 1965, when he accepted an honorary degree at the Michaelmas Convocation; an exhibit about the historical journey of activist Rosa Parks; and a tape of Barack Obama’s visit to Saint Peter’s during his election campaign a year ago. In addition, other members of the College community who are in attendance at the inauguration are scheduled to call in with their personal observations.
Prior to Obama’s inauguration at 11:00 a.m., Alain L. Sanders, accomplished political science professor at Saint Peter’s, will offer commentary on The Obama Inauguration: Version 2009 of the Great American Ritual is Both Old and Fresh to those gathered for the momentous occasion. Professor Sanders has been a journalist for 21 years, serving as a senior reporter for TIME magazine and providing political commentary to The Wall Street Journal. He is a graduate of Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and holds a J.D. degree from the Columbia University Law School. He will also contribute an analysis of the President’s speech to the Star Ledger, to be published on Wednesday, January 21.
Closing the event will be a performance by Saint Peter’s gospel choir, Voices of Praise.
The Inauguration Program at the Washington Center offers a limited number of students from 130 schools the opportunity to explore the inner workings of the American political landscape, expand their knowledge of American and international politics through site visits, and network with nationally and internationally recognized public officials and business professionals. This year’s program allows DePizzo and Hennessy the opportunity to be part of the historical events taking place in Washington, D.C.
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Saint Peter’s College, founded in 1872, is a Jesuit, Catholic college in the liberal arts tradition located in the heart of Jersey City, N.J., with a branch campus in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and course offerings on the Jersey City Waterfront and at various corporate sites throughout New Jersey. Educating over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 50 programs, Saint Peter’s College is committed to academic excellence and individual attention, preparing students for a lifetime of learning, leadership and service in a diverse and global society.