Witnesses to History

Whether one is celebrating or lamenting the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States, one thing is for sure: it’s a historical moment.

Ten Buffalo State students will be in the nation’s capital to witness it firsthand. The trip to Washington, D.C., was organized by Peter Yacobucci, associate professor of political science and adviser to the Student Political Society.

“Students can gain a much deeper understanding of political science when you connect the classroom with real political activities,” said Yacobucci. “And it’s even more interesting when you can see the passion of citizens involved in the process as we usher in a new administration.”

Yacobucci, like most experts, expected Hillary Clinton to win, but shortly before the election, he noted that he wouldn’t bet on the outcome. “We saw a lot of unexpected turns in this election,” he said then, “beginning with Trump’s crushing win in the Republican primaries. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a rush of supporters moving either way in the last days of the campaign.”

Yacobucci and the students will leave campus in the wee hours of Friday, January 20, the day of the inauguration, and arrive in Washington in time to watch the proceedings from the National Mall. They will join the celebrations that night. The next day, the group will attend the Women’s March on Washington. “Our trip will be a whirlwind experience surrounded by partisans on both sides of our national politics," said Yacobucci. “ Only through such an experience can students really grasp the true magic of politics!”

The group plans to return to Buffalo State late Saturday night. “It will be a very long and very busy two days,” said Yacobucci, “but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see an occasion as momentous as this.”