Huston-Tillotson recalls Election Night

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Nearly 200 students, faculty, and staff huddled into the Agard Covington Auditorium on the Huston-Tillotson University campus Tuesday morning to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Many rememberd Election Night, more than two months earlier, where students on the historically black college campus partied outside of their dorm rooms.

"Everyone was out, outside of the dorms, just ranting and raving," said Huston-Tillotson student Russell Bouyer.

The scene on the Huston-Tillotson campus back in November's election night made history in Austin.

"Everyone understood, what it meant for him to be president for him to be elected president," said Huston Tillotson Student Danica McKinney.

Some of those same students showed up to a lecture hall two months later, some who still thought they would not see inauguration day.

"I can't even fathom," said McKinney. "I didn't even think that this would ever happen to honest with you. I'm a very optimistic person, but it's just ridiculous to me. This is crazy, this is crazy."

Huston-Tillotson staff canceled classes Tuesday in recognition of the day's significance. For Antoinette Sharpe, as one who's seen more history than most in the room, she reflected on the historical significance of the day.

"I've been here since Martin, Malcom, and all that, and this is like nothing else I've ever seen before," said Sharpe.

For the younger generation it is something they hope to see many more times into the future.

"Barack Obama is president now but he's just the first" said McKinney. "He's just the first African-American president."