College of Education News

Dr. Brad Kose

Assistant Professor
Educational Organization & Leadership

A University of Wisconsin alumni friend of Brad Kose's tossed his hat into the random lottery of inauguration tickets up for grabs in Minnesota. Two weeks prior to the event, Kose's friend called to share his good luck and good will, offering Kose the extra ticket. Kose promptly booked his flight to D.C. and on inauguration day found his way to the reflection pool - about two football fields from the ceremony's platform. "We were one of the quarter million who had silver tickets," Kose marveled. "We were in a sea of people. I looked back and realized there were at least a million people behind me - I can't think of an experience that compares to the size of that crowd. The Washington Monument even looked small."

Why did you attend the inauguration?

There are a couple of reasons. One, to witness and be part of this historically significant event - the inauguration of our first African-American president. Also because Obama was my candidate of choice, including the Democratic primaries. I canvassed and made phone calls for him in Indiana and was very excited to see this progressive change in administrative direction... Although I don't agree with all his ideas, I feel very good about Obama in the White House and I smile every time I hear, 'President Obama' in the news. I hope the tremendous crowd was indicative of a critical mass willing to follow his lead and work for change.

How will your attending this event affect your role at the college of education?

I don't know if it will change my role, but it reaffirms and bolsters a major reason I'm in education - to work for the public good and promote democratic and socially just education. Obama's central message about ushering in an era of social, community, and personal responsibility reinvigorates and reinforces my research and teaching that centers on school leadership for social justice. Specifically, his administration's educational policies will provide substance for discussion and critique in my courses.

What was the highlight of the event?

The highlight for me was when (Obama) took the oath of office. With all the anticipation, the months of waiting, we had been there since 5:30 a.m. in a mass of people, when he took the oath, his Presidency finally became official. This seems cliché - but words really couldn't fully describe it.

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