“What this election means is more than (Obama) being the first black president,” Daniels said. “As a black citizen, I feel accepted in government (and) in the U.S.

“The word ‘minority’ doesn’t apply anymore.”

From students standing with eyes fixated on television screens in the International Center to tears being shed at the Union, the MSU community gathered to celebrate the first day of a new presidency.

Between bursts of applause, the crowd in the Union stood in silence as Obama was sworn in at noon.

“The range of emotions went from absolute joy, to deep reflection, laughter to tears,” said Paulette Granberry Russell, director of the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, which hosted the event.

Meanwhile, members of the MSU College Democrats convened at Holden Hall to watch the day’s events.

Music education and James Madison College freshman Joe Duffy said watching the celebrations was a culmination of the group’s hard work throughout the election.

“The campaign was about coming together as a community and working together for a common purpose, and I guess it’s just kind of a good way to celebrate our efforts,” Duffy said. “It was a way to watch with the people we worked with to do whatever we can to ensure the election for Barack Obama.”

Pre-medical junior Sarah Losinski, who stopped at the Union Ballroom between classes to watch Obama on the big screen, said she felt united with the rest of the country.

“(It was) like everyone was connected,” she said. “I’ve gotten really frustrated with politics in this country. This election has refreshed a sense of hope.”

Although the day marked the beginning of the Obama presidency, it also brought an ending to the presidency of George W. Bush.

Bush’s transition out of office was impressive, said Louie Glinzak, the press secretary for the MSU College Republicans.

“We definitely liked how President Bush gave that smooth transition,” he said. “We were proud to see our Republican president act with class in that way.”

Georg Schuttler, president of MSU College Democrats, said Bush’s presidency was “eight years waiting” for the younger generation.

“We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” he said. “It was midnight, (and I thought) this is the last day of George Bush’s presidency — this is it, this is the end.”

Although the new president faces a number of uphill battles, Duffy said Tuesday’s inauguration was a chance to appreciate Obama’s successful campaign and election before moving forward.

“This is a day to just take a step back and celebrate this election and what we’ve accomplished,” he said. “Starting (Wednesday), we’ve got a lot of problems that we need to work together to solve.”