 In 10 days Pernell Cezar earned 2 credits toward graduation, immersed himself in lectures, site visits, tours and special events in the nation’s capital, and created memories he’ll savor for a lifetime.
The University of Northern Iowa junior was nominated and selected for The Washington Center’s Presidential Inauguration seminar, which focused on the newly elected president and the formation of a new executive administration and the role of the media in U.S. politics. Cezar and the other seminar participants delved into issues and events surrounding the transfer of power and the political process.
After arriving in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 10, Cezar got a behind-the-scenes look at Washington and national politics. He met with UNI alumnus and U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, heard from world political and media leaders, participated in academic discussions, and visited museums, national monuments and memorials. The trip culminated with the 2009 Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20.
Although Cezar doesn’t have a background in political science, a personal curiosity and interest led him to run for UNI student body president and become the first black leader of Northern Iowa Student Government. Exploring politics further with a group of like-minded college students from across the nation, as well as having the chance to witness President Barack Obama’s inauguration, was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse.
 “The academic side of the seminar helped me develop my own views and thoughts about politics and the presidency, and gave me perspective on the president’s position and leadership,” he said.
In the evenings, Cezar and the other participants read and discussed the book “Memo to a New President: The Art and Science of Presidential Leadership.” In his own letter to the new president, written as a part of the Presidential Inauguration seminar, Cezar focused on a topic close to his heart: business’s influence on education, and vice versa.
 “In Gary, Ind., the majority of companies look to relocate to areas with a strong education background. Those places have a stronger tax base and an educated population,” he said. “There’s definitely a need for public education reform.”
Cezar is exploring a research project for his senior year based on education’s tie to economics, how a lack of efficient public school systems worsens poverty conditions and increases crime rates in urban communities.
Whether Cezar’s future is in politics, finance, education or takes an entirely different turn, he envisions it involving his hometown of Gary, Ind.
“I have a lot of opinions about my hometown, and I’d like to influence the development of Gary, whether I’m living there or not,” he said. “It’s a healthy challenge.”
On Inauguration Day, Cezar, like thousands of others, faced a different sort of challenge. Tickets in hand, Cezar, his sister and his uncle were unable to get inside the gates for the inauguration ceremony. “I saw the transition of people coming into town,” Cezar said about being in Washington, D.C., the days leading up to the inauguration. “There were a lot of people on Sunday for the concert, and even more on Monday getting tickets. I knew there were going to be problems.”
Inauguration Day did not go as planned for Cezar, whose biggest pet peeve is traffic and crowds. He endured four hours in a line only to be turned away like so many others. But he keeps a healthy perspective on this as well.
“It was an energetic and emotional atmosphere,” he said. “There was so much excitement and emotion, and you couldn’t even see the end of the line. It was worth it, just being there. Being in the area and with my family, even thought I didn’t view the inauguration live, I was there.”
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