Published August 29, 2008 12:39 am - About 70 students turned out Thursday evening to watch Barack Obama's acceptance speech on a big screen at MSU.
Obama speech finds receptive crowd
By Tim Krohn
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO
—
Of the 70 students who gathered at Minnesota State University to hear Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, his biggest supporter may have been someone who can’t vote for him.
’I believe change for America means change for the world. I love this guy,’ said Krishna Dhungana, 19, a civil engineering student from Nepal in his first semester at MSU.
’I don’t usually let my tears fall down, but tonight I did,’ said Dhungana, who joined other students in the Student Union to watch Obama on a big screen TV.
Nicole Nelson, a freshman from Stillwater, was also mesmerized by Obama’s oratory skills.
’I believe what he says. You see all these presidents and politicians say things and you don’t believe them, you can just see it,’ said Nelson. ’I think Obama talks from the heart.’
Caitlyn Gerchak, a freshman from Moorhead, said Obama’s frequent references to education and college resonates with young people.
’I think it’s really important for college students to get out and support him. He’s fighting for us. McCain has never talked about college students.’
Kelby Thompson, a junior from Centerville, said he thinks young voters will turn out to support Obama in November. ’People think young people don’t vote, but the young people will make a difference in this election,’ Thompson said.
He thought Obama did well in his speech by differentiating himself from John McCain and in providing specific actions he would take as president.
’I think his speech was awesome. We need change in this country and I think Barack will do it.’
The gathering at MSU was one of many organized on college campuses across the state and the nation Thursday night.