Naseem Ahmed came to the United States 33 years ago with the belief that the American dream would be within her reach.

But after 33 years, the Bangladesh native said she experienced prejudice and racism that made her question America’s ability to conform.

Tuesday’s inauguration of President Barack Obama reinvigorated her faith in a nation that she said is redeeming itself to the rest of the world.

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‘I’m just speechless,’ Ahmed said. ‘I’m just so fortunate to have lived around to see an event like this. I came to this country 33 years ago believing in the values of America and today, I feel renewed with a new hope for the United States.’

Ahmed, an SIUC educational programs coordinator, was one of more than 200 people who gathered in Ballroom B of the Student Center to watch the historic inauguration of the first black president of the United States.

The mass of Obama-supporters cried, cheered and reverently watched Obama’s inaugural address, which reached nearly 1.5 million people in the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

‘I’m still in awe,’ said Chesaree Rollins, a graduate student from Chicago studying business. ‘It’s all still kind of surreal. The possibilities are now limitless.’

Student Center workers were forced to open Ballroom A about a half hour before Obama’s address in order to accommodate a larger-than-expected crowd.

Eager viewers spilled into the open hallways to catch a glimpse of Obama’s first speech as president of the United States.

Kevin Mulligan, a junior from Chicago studying administrative justice, said he would remember the event for the rest of his life.

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‘This is our starting point of a new era, and I think this inauguration really sets the tone for his administration,’ he said. ‘We can say that we actually saw this and lived through it.’

Mulligan said he originally supported Sen. John McCain for president and thought Obama was the wrong choice. But after listening to Obama during his President-elect speeches, Mulligan said he became a supporter.

‘I really do think now that he is someone who we should really look up to,’ Mulligan said. ‘He captivates you in a way that not a lot of people can. His catch phrase is hope, and a lot of people brush that off, but he is starting to inspire more and more people to change the way they are thinking.’

The crowd watched in silence as Obama addressed the future challenges that lay ahead of his administration.

Jolie McFallar, a senior from Chicago studying marketing, said while Obama’s plate is full of issues that need immediate resolution, his progress should be judged patiently.

She said a dismal economy, troops overseas and a slumping education system were all issues she hopes Obama would resolve.

‘A lot of people are going to want him to rectify all these situations immediately,’ McFallar said. ‘They are going to want him to attack this at one time and I’m not sure if people will be disappointed by that or if they will think he can get it all done at one time. But it’s going to take a few years.’

Ahmed said while the economy should be Obama’s number one concern heading into his first term, an equally pressing issue has already been addressed just by his taking office.

‘We are also redeeming ourselves to the rest of the world,’ she said. ‘I think this is the face that we want to show. I think the world is rejoicing because he is such a change from the last administration.

‘There is a tremendous amount of hope around the world that America has changed to a president that is a visionary and a person with true compassion for the world.’