Letter from the Editor by Mike Zielinski

As I am sure you have already noticed, this is a special inauguration issue. It is special not only because it covers the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama, but because the North Park Press had the fortunate opportunity to be in D.C. during the historic event.

Cramming into two North Park vans the Saturday before the Inauguration, the North Park Press left for D.C. accompanied by several members of the Student Association. After an agonizing fourteen hours in the vans, we arrived at the Church of the Redeemer in Bowie, Maryland, which would serve as our home base for the next four days. On behalf of the Press, I would like to express my thanks to Pastor Paul Meador, Wendi Paterno, and the members of Redeemer for their fervent hospitality and blessings.

Sunday brought us to the Washington Memorial, where we joined thousands to listen to speeches and musical performances by celebrities and artists such U2, Stevie Wonder, and Beyonce. Surely many of you were watching the concert from your dorms and apartments and know what a unique group of individuals gathered to usher in the inauguration. Following the concert, we were able to view the Lincoln, WWII and Vietnam Memorials. After traversing D.C., we returned exhausted to the Redeemer, as we did every night for the next few days, tired though excited for the events that would ensue the following day.

On Monday, the Press went their separate ways, each drawn to a different element of the historic city. Several of us went to view Manifest Hope:DC, a gallery devoted to politically-influenced artists displaying their beautiful contemporary and graphic art. Others visited the Smithsonian, International Spy Museum and various other landmarks in the area.

While the events on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 will forever remain distinct in the minds of the sojourners who assembled in D.C., for each person it will be for a different reason, a different memory of why it was important. Personally, I am amazed that this was the 44th time that the highest seat of power in the United States has passed peacefully from one hand to another. In other countries, power is attained through violence or strife, but not in the U.S. Two million people stood silent Tuesday afternoon as the President’s voice left his mouth, entered the loudspeakers and echoed of the buildings of downtown D.C. For those that watched it on television, it was inspiring. For those that were there, it was breathtaking.

Our trek back to Chicago began early Wednesday morning. We crowded into the vans, tired and smelly, having not showered since the beginning of our voyage. This issue is the product of that voyage, a culmination of young voices inspired by the promise of change. The initial idea for the trip was to provide the staff with the opportunity to experience the inauguration like a professional press team. As evident by this special edition, the plan was a success.