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Obama Mania!
O
bama’s rise was meteoric and has made him a presidential celebrity perhaps not seen since
John F. Kennedy. In the days before the inauguration, D.C. memorabilia shops were cashing
in on the euphoria, selling record numbers of Obama bobbleheads, calendars, belt buckles,
t-shirts, and other merchandise.
In January, media outlets reported that bids
opened at $100,000 on eBay for a 2005 Chrysler
300C formerly owned by Obama, though the car’s
actual value is closer to $15,000.
Even sports teams have jumped on the Obama
bandwagon. The Brooklyn Cyclones, a minor
league baseball team, announced it will change its
name to the “Baracklyn” Cyclones in a June ticket
sales promotion.
“Being in the city before the inauguration was
amazing,” said Stefanie Faith ’11, a history major
who participated in the JanTerm course in D.C.
“You could feel the energy and excitement every
time you stepped outside. Obama mania hit the
streets, and I was a part of it.”
PHOTO BY KATIE McCOY
Austin College students celebrated at the campus
Presidential Inauguration Ball in January.
Mr. Kirk Goes to Washington
Austin College alumnus and senior trustee Ron Kirk ‘76 has been selected by President Barack Obama to
serve as the United States Trade Representative. This Cabinet-level appointment is the first to be held by
a graduate of Austin College.
“Austin College is proud of Ron’s success in Texas, and I am sure he will be equally successful as he works
with world leaders,” said Oscar C. Page, president of Austin College. “Ron’s leadership at the state and
local level is impressive, and these experiences have prepared him well to serve as the U.S. Trade
Representative for the new administration.”
Kirk’s appointment was announced by Obama on December 19 at a press
conference in Chicago. “As mayor of Dallas, Ron helped steer one of the world’s largest
economies,” Obama said. “During his tenure as mayor, Ron brought different groups
together to create jobs, invest in the community, and spur economic growth.” In
accepting his nomination, Kirk said that “trade can help us create jobs at home and
encourage development abroad.”
A native of Austin, Texas, Kirk came to Austin College in 1972, graduating in 1976
with a degree in political science and sociology. Kirk then attended law school at the
University of Texas, where he earned his J.D. degree in 1979. Soon after, he began
working for U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen in Washington, D.C., which was followed by
political positions as Dallas assistant city attorney, Texas secretary of state, and Dallas
mayor. At the time of the announcement, he was a partner at the Dallas offices of the
Houston-based law firm of Vinson & Elkins.
Ron Kirk
COURTESY PHOTO
March 2009 Austin College Magazine 31