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The Tower Kean University’s student newspaper
www.kean.edu/~thetower
Volume 9 • Issue 7 Jan. 28-Feb. 10, 2009
Kean Embraces Obama’s Inaugural
OBAMA BEGINS!
By Dawn M. Phillips
A
Photo by Dawn M. Phillips
STUDENTS WATCH THE OBAMA INAUGURATION IN THE UC ON JANUARY 20.
Money 101, the College Edition By Robert M. Pereira
U.S. employers slashed more than 500,000 jobs in November, the biggest decline in over 30 years. Economists predict 2009 will be as rough as 2008, if not worse. Some economists predict that the economy could lose as many jobs in the first six months of 2009 as it did in all of 2008. Nearly 2 million jobs have been lost since the start of the recession last year. With the bad economy serving as a backdrop, Trina Lamb, vice president of Primerica Financial Services, recently gave a presentation to Kean students sponsored by the College of Business and Public Administration that offered students some secrets to financial success. “The great thing about money is money makes money,” said Lamb. She explained the importance of budgeting and investing. You must begin saving now in order to see the benefits later.
A minimum of 10 percent of your monthly income should be put away. According to Lamb, there are three levels of savings: emergency fund, short term goals, and long term goals.
Every time you apply for a store credit card, your personal information is at risk. “It’s not how much you make, it’s what you’re doing with it that counts,” said Lamb. By investing $25 a week at 10 percent beginning at age 22 by the time you are age 57, you would have approximately $1.6 million. Credit cards are the enemy. In 2008, 1.8 million people filed (Continued on page 4)
s Dr. Bailey Baker of Kean University watched the inauguration from Union Station in Washington, D.C., he could not help but be overwhelmed. “A rush came over me,” the Department of Communication professor said. “I broke down in tears. The spirit of Martin Luther King’s birthday on January 19th, and now Obama’s inauguration on the 20th is what got me. I had a feeling of hope and of expectation.” With tears of joy and smiles on faces of all races, Jan.20 was an historic day for many. Dressed in a navy blue suit, and a red tie, Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America, the nation’s first African-American president. According to CNN, 8,000 police, 10,000 National guards, 1,000 FBI agents, the Secret Service, Homeland Security, The National Park service, and the United States Capitol police attended to ensure that everything went accordingly. Millions of people watched from the National Mall, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, at the United States Capitol building, and all over Washington, D.C. as new President Obama—the man with a white mother and a black father from Kenya—showed the world that times have definitely changed. Dr. Baker said he took the train to the event and met with friends who had tickets, but entrance was still based on a first come-first serve basis and when he arrived early morning Tuesday, he found people had already been waiting on line three hours. He then returned to Union Station where thousands celebrated together as they watched on video screens as Obama was sworn into office. He described the mood as jubilant and inspirational. When asked how the day
was, he replied: “Perfect.” Dr. Baker wasn’t the only person from Kean who was able to witness the event. Some students boarded buses to attend. Back at Kean, the University Center was the place to be to watch the Inaugural address. From 11:00am until the early evening, the cafeteria, student lounge, and lobby were filled with students who watched the TV screens with live coverage of the event. As he was sworn in, students, faculty, and staff cheered and applauded in his
“I had a feeling of hope and of expectation”—Dr. BailEy Baker honor. Some laughed and snickered as Obama thanked Bush for “his service to our nation as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.” Many students stuck around to watch the parade which begun around 2:30pm along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. When asked how he felt after watching the inauguration, Kirk Blackwell, a junior psychology major said,” I feel good about this; it couldn’t be on a better day. Martin Luther King’s birthday was yesterday, this is a big movement and I can’t wait to see what happens.” Many community tables were set up in the University Center lobby. Among them was a Rock the Vote table. Gray Tshirts with Obama’s face and the “Rolling Stones” etched along the side were on sale for $15. Emily Zemlansky, a UCC staff member said,” Faculty, staff, and students have been purchasing many of the t-shirts. A portion of the proceeds will go to the “Rock the Vote” campaign.” (Continued on page 4)
INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: What was your New Year’s resolution, and are you keeping it?
By kelley pennisi
Dana Doyle
Beth Lugra
Talaya Simpson
Jennifer Lantier
“My New Year’s resolution is to get good grades and keep them up. I got good grades last semester.”
“My New Year’s resolution was to lose 10 pounds. I have been trying to go the gym as much as I can.”
“My New Year’s resolution is to try and stay positive throughout the entire year.”
“My New Year’s Resolution is to try and be healthy and have more energy. I have kept up with it so far.”
Parked Cars Out
2
Newark’s Ironbound District
6
What Exactly Are Vitamins?
10
Eating Well in Union
3
Editorial & Anger Management
8
Horoscope & Crossword
10
Music Review
4
Smoking in Public Places
9
Women’s & Men’s Basketball
12