Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

WASHINGTON - Between one million and two million people listened to Obama's inaugural speech at the National Mall Jan. 20 after he took the oath of office and became the first African-American president of the United States.

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America," Obama said before a large crowd of flag-wavers and camera holders who completely covered the area in between the Capitol and the Washington Monument.

The new president called for collective action in areas such as economy, transportation and the environment. In regards to education, Obama talked about a renovation of the current system in place for public universities.

"We will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do," Obama said.

Obama shared the challenges America faces in the midst of an economic crisis and a war, but he also provided hope for UTEP students, who witnessed the historic moment by travelling to Washington D.C.

"It was what I think a lot of people expected it to be, just a new vision for our country," said Eric Palomares, senior biology major, about the presidential inaugural address.

Palomares woke up at 2 a.m. Jan. 20 to be ready by 3 a.m. in order to head to Pennsylvania Avenue and witness the swearing-in ceremony and the parade. He said although it was too hectic and he had to spend of hours outside in freezing temperatures, it was worth it to be part of history.

Before his trip to Washington D.C., Palomares had to raise about $2,800 to be part of the University Presidential Inauguration Conference, to which he was invited because of his academic standing at UTEP, and about $700 dollars for his airfare. UTEP's College of Science sponsored Palomares for $500, and he also received a $2,000 scholarship from the Houston Endowment.

Korina Salazar, a sophomore undeclared major, was also invited by the University Presidential Inauguration Conference to witness President Obama's inauguration because of her involvement with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars chapter at UTEP. Her family supported her financially.

"Everything he stands for, I believe it, and it's what we should be working toward in America," Salazar said. "And it's amazing that the first time I was old enough to vote for a president, the president who I voted for won."

Texas state Senator Eliot Shapleigh also attended the swearing-in ceremony and called the inauguration "an experience of a lifetime."

"So many people were so emotional about the coming of Barack Obama all around me, especially African-Americans, who held up cell phones so their children and grandchildren could hear these words as he took the oath," Shapleigh said.

Shapleigh said he sees a lot of improvements that could benefit students at UTEP and other minority-serving institutions.

"Basically I see more college scholarships, better funding for universities, especially minority-serving universities, a green jobs program and a new focus on service for America," he said.

Meanwhile in El Paso, Julie Cruz, who is president of University Democrats at UTEP, was in class at the time Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

"It is amazing to see as president, a minority, someone who came from being raised by his mom, and by his grandparents, not coming from a privileged background and was able to work hard to get where he is at," Cruz said. "I think that it is very motivating."

Cruz acknowledged that it may take some time before we see any improvement in our economy and foreign relations.

"These four years are going to be pretty tough to bring change, but I think it is possible to bring change and it takes time. We cannot expect things to happen overnight," Cruz said. "At this point, is not about Democrats, it is having both parties work together to fix the issues that are really affecting us."