PUBLISHED January 16, 2009 IN Campus

Viewing the Inauguration

Campus prepares viewing sites for Tuesday's ceremony

Missy Baxter

With her rigorous work schedule, Duke housekeeper Melba Humphrey thought she would not be able to watch the presidential inauguration.

Humphrey works from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on West Campus and doesn't want to miss the historic moment when Barack Obama takes the Oath of Office and gives the inaugural address.

"I figured I would have to wait until that night and catch it on the news, but then I'd only get to see part of it," said Humphrey, who has worked at Duke for 23 years. "I'd really like to see all of it, if possible."

Humphrey said she was elated when she heard that numerous venues on campus will broadcast Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony and other Inauguration Day events. The ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. with the actual swearing-in at noon.

Humphrey said she's planning to catch the ceremony at the International House, a building she cleans.

Faculty, staff and students can tap into the inauguration energy by watching the event at a variety of locations from Wilson Recreational Center on East Campus, where exercisers can view on televisions near the treadmills, to the Great Hall on West Campus and Marketplace on East Campus -- both of which plan to air the ceremony and serve hotdogs, apple pie and other traditional American goodies.

"In honor of this important event, we're spicing up the menus at Great Hall and Marketplace with some all-American favorites," said Chef Michael Aquaro, who oversees both dining areas.

Humphrey, the Duke housekeeper, is looking forward to watching the ceremony.

"I'm planning to get all my work done early that day, so I can enjoy the inauguration," she said. "It's important for me because I have grand nieces and nephews, and I'm hoping Obama will do things to help with education and health care."

Advice for the New President

Duke faculty experts were asked to identify those issues in their academic disciplines that are in immediate need of attention or reform once Barack Obama assumes the presidency. To see their comments, click here.

Preaching and the President

Divinity School Professor William Turner discusses how President Obama and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. are connected by providence. For video, click here.

The Presidential Inauguration and festivities on Jan. 20 will be shown on TVs at: