On Tuesday, President Obama gave a speech at McCamish Pavilion on the subject of college affordability. In attendance were over 9,500 people including local dignitaries, students and faculty. Jennifer Abrams lead the crowd in The Pledge of Allegiance, while Miss Georgia Maggie Bridges sang The Star-Spangled Banner. Tiffany Davis, who wrote to the president back in October on her personal experience on college affordability, introduced him. High-profiled guests included Gov. Nathan Deal, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former state senator Jason Carter, Democratic Party of Georgia head DuBose Porter, Rep. Hank Johnson, State Rep. Calvin Smyre, Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, State Sen. Vincent Fort and Tyler Perry.
Tech students and faculty stand in line with their tickets to enter McCamish Pavilion early Tuesday morning. Doors for general admission opened at 10 a.m. // Photo by John NakanoStudent walk up the steps to McCamish Pavilion hours before the speech. Some attendees stood in line as early as 4:30 a.m. almost six hours prior the opening of the doors. // Photo by John NakanoAttendees go through security screening prior to entering McCamish Pavilion. Backpacks, food, and large purses were not permitted. // Photo by John NakanoTech students and faculty as well as local dignitaries slowly fill in Hank McCamish Pavilion. The indoor area sits 8,600. // Photo by John NakanoAudience members slowly fill the area hours prior to the president’s address. // Photo by Brenda LinMiss Georgia Maggie Bridges (left) takes a selfie with Undergraduate Vice President of Campus Affairs Jennifer Abrams (middle) and Undergraduate Student Body President Dillon Roseen (right). // Photo by Brenda LinVideo feed of President Obama touching down in Atlanta is broadcasted on the Jumbotron. // Photo by Brenda LinPresident Bud Peterson and his wife Val were in attendance during President Obama’s remarks. As with many of her other clothes, Val Peterson crafted her own blazer for this event. // Photo by Tyler MeuterUndergraduate Vice President of Campus Affairs Jennifer Abrams leads the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. // Photo by Tyler MeuterMiss Georgia Maggie Bridges sings The Star Spangled Banner. // Photo by Brenda LinState Rep. Calvin Smyre (left) greets Rep. David Scott (middle) and Fulton County Chairman John Eaves (right). // Photo by Brenda LinRep. Hank Johnson speaks to Gov. Nathan Deal prior to President Obama’s speech. // Photo by John NakanoPresident Bud Peterson and Rep. David Scott greets Tiffany Davis (middle), Kaela Davis (left) and Sydney Wallace (right). Davis and Wallace are members of the Women’s Basketball team. // Photo by John NakanoVice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff James A. Winnefeld, Jr. shakes hands. Winnefeld graduated from Tech in 1978 with high honors in Aerospace Engineering. // Photo by John NakanoThe crowd points their cameras in the direction of the tunnel in anticipation of President Obama’s entrance into the stage area. Many attendees were very active on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and SnapChat during the event to document and share their experiences. // Photo by Tyler MeuterPresident Obama shakes hands with a few members of the faculty as he leaves the tunnel into the stage area. // Photo by Brenda LinStudents reach for a handshakes with President Obama as he walks up the stairs onto the stage. // Photo by Brenda LinThe crowd of mostly Georgia Tech students listen intently as President Obama speaks. // Photo by Brenda LinPresident Obama hugs Tiffany Davis after she introduces him. Tiffany wrote a letter to the president back in October while procrastinating on Thermodynamics homework. // Photo by John NakanoPresident Obama speaking on the topic of college affordability and access to quality higher education. The president spoke about streamlining the complaint process and customer service for student loan borrowers as well as requiring lenders to pay off higher interest loans first. // Photo by John NakanoA student take a photo graph of the president on his cell phone during the address. // Photo by John NakanoPresident Obama addreses the crowd on Tuesday. The topics of his speech were college affordability and access to quality higher education. // Photo by Brenda LinPresident Obama address the crowd during his speech. The president outlined new actions that the Department of Education will take to help those repaying student loans. // Photo by John NakanoStudents sitting in the preferred ticket section applaud for one of the president’s points during his speech. // Photo by Brenda LinStudents press against the ropeline to get a handshake from or a photo of President Obama as he greets the crowd before he leaves. // Photo by Brenda LinPresident Obama works the crowd following his address. Students who shook his hand called the moment a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” // Photo by Tyler Meuter
