Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 | Thursday, August 18, 2022
Despite the cold and the rain, the 54th Inaugural Parade, themed "Celebrating America's Spirit Together," drew a large and enthusiastic crowd on Saturday. The parade began at the Capitol Building at about 2:40 p.m. - almost an hour later than originally scheduled due to delays at the inaugural brunch.
Following more than four months of construction and permit acquisition, a McDonald's franchise opened last Monday in the Tunnel at AU. The restaurant occupies the former site of Armand's Chicago Pizzeria, who had lost their lease in 1999 and vacated the space after an out-of-court settlement with AU at the end of spring semester 2000.
In the last two weeks of winter break, a group of AU students joined thousands of Jewish college students through out the world in a free pilgrimage to Israel. Hillel, the campus run religious and social organization that is geared towards the Jewish student population of American colleges and universities across the country, sponsored the 12-day trip.
She will not appear on an episode of "The West Wing" as Mrs. Bartlet, but Sally Renfro, a junior in College of Arts Sciences, was playing the role of the real first lady for the cameras of NBC on Friday morning before the inauguration. Renfro was recruited by friend and fellow AU student Kate Black, a senior in the School of Communication, who was serving as a runner for NBC's pool coverage of the Inauguration.
An American Caf? and a Rolling Stones-inspired restaurant are soon to become part of the AU community of dining services as Wagshal's American Caf? construction nears completion while Ruby Tuesday is tentatively scheduled to open at 4200 Wisconsin Ave. Wagshal's, which is occupying space once owned by Blue Mountain Caf? in the Tunnel, has been undergoing construction since October in preparation for opening this semester.
Standing at a "crossroads on the way to equality," as one speaker said, students and faculty came together in Kay Chapel Wednesday to remember the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and pledged to work for social justice in his memory. The Commemorative Ceremony featured speeches by AU President Benjamin Ladner, student leaders, a performance by AU's gospel choir and a candlelight ceremony.
