Pictured above: HPU students attended the RNC and DNC last summer. A group of students will travel to Washington D.C. for the 58th presidential inauguration on Jan. 20.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Jan., 11, 2017 – Hundreds of thousands of people will gather on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20 for the 58th presidential inauguration. Amidst that crowd will be students from High Point University.
Led by Dr. Brandon Lenoir, assistant professor of political communication, the 12 HPU students will make their way to Virginia on Jan. 19, then head to D.C. the following day for the swearing in ceremony and parade.
“A presidential inauguration is central to the peaceful transfer of power and is what set the United States apart from other countries at its founding,” said Lenoir. “To be able to attend an inauguration is an opportunity to participate in history in the making.”
Within the group, different ideologies and party affiliations are represented. For Sarah Moss, chairman of the College Republicans, the trip is a can’t-miss.
“Having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a presidential inauguration as a college student is phenomenal,” said Moss. “Going from working at the Republican National Convention, to being the Chairman of High Point University’s College Republicans, to now attending the inauguration speaks volumes to the growth and opportunities available to High Point students.”
Erik Daniels, President of the College Democrats, applied to go on the trip after the election was decided—even though his candidate lost the race.
“Even if it’s not going to be the person that I supported, inaugurations are historical events and witnessing that can benefit everyone, no matter who you support,” said Daniels. “It’s an incredible experience, and Dr. Lenoir has done an amazing job of encouraging students to be engaged in this trip. It’s important for us to go and bring something back for the entire school.”
Students were selected based on essays they submitted detailing why they wanted to be part of the experience, as well as a project proposal. When they return, each attendee will produce a project as a means of sharing their experience with the university community.
“I will be writing several articles for the school newspaper and a local paper. It will give a perspective to all of the people who may not have supported Trump and allows everyone to see the inauguration experience through that lens,” said Daniels. “I knew that I wanted to go regardless of who won. I’m excited to be able to enjoy this experience.”
“The inauguration is a nice bookend to a busy election cycle,” said Lenoir. “HPU students were at the center of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions working with ABC and CNN, and we’ll be witness to the new president taking office. HPU was there when the GOP nominated Donald Trump and the Democrats nominated Hillary Clinton, and we’ll be there to see President Trump take the oath of office.”