Students watch history unfold as Obama is elected president

The applause and cheers from students supporting Barack Obama drowned out the groans from John McCain fans Tuesday night at the election watch party in the Student Union Auditorium.

The watch party was sponsored by the Student Activities Board and the Student Government Association.

Some students believe the change Obama promises will be a positive move into the future.

"It seems to me that his lack of experience will be a benefit to the American people," Stephanie Myal, a senior biology major of Hardy, said. "He will be more willing to listen to how they feel about the issues."

Many students were also ecstatic that America has elected its first black president.

"I am overwhelmed," Karimah Mitchell, a freshman undecided major of Little Rock, said. "This is so exciting because this is a moment in history, not just for me as an African-American student, but for everybody."

However, some McCain supporters voiced concerns about the president-elect.

"I am disappointed and apprehensive," Kyle Fulton, a senior biology and Spanish major of Jonesboro, said.

And at least one student said some presidential candidates were not given enough media coverage in the presidential election.

"Where was Nadar?" Richard Allen, a sophomore sports management major from Woodstock, Ga., said.

While the watch party ended on a passionate chord, the evening began quietly at 6 p.m. with snacks, including meatballs, egg rolls, brownies and punch.

The night also included many games and prizes.

Three TVs were set up at the front of the auditorium, one screen spanning from the stage to the ceiling and a 20-inch TV on each side of the big screen.

People came to watch the news with their fellow students for various reasons.

"I came to see which demographics would be represented," Rylan Williams, a sophomore radio-TV major of Siloam Springs, said.

"I came to stay posted and involved," Tim Cameron, a freshman graphic design major of Little Rock, said.

In the campus-wide survey The Herald conducted last week, students voted in favor of Obama 47 percent to John McCain's 38 percent.