University junior Janey Ellis said she had been preparing for last night since February 2007, when Sen. Barack Obama announced his intent to run for United States president.
From the Uncle Sam top hat on her head, official Obama T-shirt on her back and the hand-drawn Obama signs on her shoes, Ellis’ look screamed Obama supporter.
“Wow, I’m finally going to be witnessing something (significant),” Ellis said. “This election is going to stand for something.”
While Ellis was one of roughly 150 animated students who celebrated Obama’s victory last night in the EMU Fishbowl, similar scenes unfolded around Eugene as students and community members joined in the city-wide political euphoria. According to the Lane County Elections Office, 63 percent of Lane County voted to elect Obama.
Excitement in the Fishbowl began growing as the clock approached 8 p.m.
When the final announcement came – a landslide victory for Obama – the Fishbowl erupted in screams of victory as students jumped atop tables and chairs, chanting: “Obama! Obama!”
“This is kind of surreal, actually,” University freshman Tanner Johnson said while waiting for Obama to give his acceptance speech. “This is probably going to be the most memorable (election I will vote in) – to have something this memorable be the first time I vote.”
Others expressed similar emotions.
“This is overwhelmingly the most historical moment of the 21st century,” University freshman Isaak Olian said.
By 9:30 p.m. the Fishbowl was nearly cleared out, as the hard-core supporters hit the streets.
University freshman Charles Hanks led a group of eight other freshmen from the EMU to the residence halls, then across campus singing an impromptu Obama victory song to the chords of his guitar.
The students paused from their celebration long enough for University freshman Thane Lochtie to explain that they had been swept away in the “spirit, energy and vibrance of the election.”
The singers joined the cacophony of cheers and fireworks erupting around campus.
Off campus
In the doorway of Rennie’s Landing stood a group of college guys dressed in blue. People milled around wearing Obama T-shirts and stickers, clinking their mugs in the air and cheering.
Among the crowd was University senior Blake Locher, who brought blue candy and passed it out to others in the bar in the spirit of Tuesday’s Democratic landslide.
Locher, an Ohio native, couldn’t vote in the 2004 election because his 18th birthday was the day after. “I’m ecstatic and inspired. I missed last election by one day, so I am happy things went my way this time,” he said.
In response to Obama’s victory, Locher was optimistic.
“I am willing to put my investment in hope,” he said. “I am willing to hope, and I think that is a big commitment.”
University graduate student Fraser MacDonald shared a victory drink with friends. Like Locher, he saw Obama’s victory as a sign of hope – and also motivation.
“All Barack can do is embrace change,” he said. “It comes out of us.”
For MacDonald and friends Amy Kipp, Scott Shamblin and Abby Tuttle, the night contained both tears and laughter.
Before landing at Rennie’s, the group had watched Obama’s acceptance speech at Pegasus Pizza. Tuttle cried and Kipp nearly did. Shamblin said a man behind him removed his glasses and wiped the tears from his eyes.
“It was like a year of pent-up emotion coming to a head,” Shamblin said.
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