Witnessing history

Inaugural celebration Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs, attended one of the 10 official inaugural balls with his wife, Michelle, daughter Christina, and her friend, Andrew. U.S. Rep. Lee Terry extended an invitation to Dr. Pamies to obtain tickets to the Midwestern Ball, which featured music from Sheryl Crow and had participants from ten states including Nebraska and Iowa. Here are several pictures from the ball and other inaugural festivities. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama share a dance at the Midwestern Ball. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden, at the Midwestern Ball during last week’s inaugural address. Rubens Pamies, M.D., and his daughter, Christina, at the Midwestern Ball. More than 1.5 million people descended on the National Mall in Washington to attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama. From left: Pam Jones, Ph.D., Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi, M.D., and Jo Giles visit the White House on day one of the new administration.

In a sea of enthusiastic Americans from across the country, several UNMC faculty members watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama last week in Washington.

Tears, cheers and utter euphoria filled the crowd as many were overcome with emotion while they participated in an historic event.

“It was so exciting to be part of history,” said Pam Bataillon, assistant dean in the UNMC College of Nursing. “This is my third inaugural celebration and I am always in awe of America’s ability to peacefully transfer power from one administration to another. It is a great example of democracy for the world.”

Rubens Pamies, M.D., UNMC vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the ceremony offered opportunity for reflection.

“I was moved by the reverence and support from people across the U.S.,” Dr. Pamies said. “It is clear the Obama administration intends to continue engaging citizens on critical national issues such as health care and health disparities for uninsured, rural and urban populations.”

The crowd cheered for a long time after President Obama took the oath of office. But a hush soon fell on the crowd as he began to give the inaugural address. It was a particularly profound moment, said Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi, M.D., UNMC assistant professor of internal medicine.

“There have been many such important moments in our nation’s history. Unfortunately, in my generation, the terrorist attacks of (Sept. 11, 2001) and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina are among the most visible,” Dr. Nsiah-Kumi said. “Now, our nation is able to celebrate a hopeful historic event. For years to come, I will be able to say that I was in Washington D.C. with masses of enthusiastic witnesses to history.”

While the pomp and pageantry of the occasion were remarkable, each UNMC faculty member commented on the unique aspect of the crowd.

“I was inspired to see people of different nationalities and ethnicities stand united with the collective view of this man as a symbol of hope,” said Pam Jones, Ph.D., UNMC assistant professor in the College of Nursing.

“One of the best experiences of the ceremony was meeting other people who traveled to the inauguration,” Bataillon said. “I met people from Germany, Norway, Australia, Nigeria and France. In addition, I enjoyed meeting supporters from across the U.S. who worked on the Obama campaign.”

Asked about the bitter cold and the long lines, faculty members said it was bearable. Layering, plenty of patience and the buoyant mood of the crowd lifted their spirits. There was so much energy in the city, they said. Just the excitement of being in the nation’s capitol to witness history will be one for the books.