photo courtesy of the Lawrence Journal-World

President Barack Obama was greeted with thunderous applause at Anschutz Sports Pavilion in Lawrence, KS on Jan. 22. An estimated 7,100 people came out to  hear Obama give remarks on key points from his recent State of the Union Address.

Maize High School graduate Chris Chesser was one of the many students who attended the open event.

“I thought it would be a great experience to hear a speech by an active U.S. President,” Chesser said. “He talked about a lot of current issues that are popular with many people such as equal pay for women and a potential plan to make two years of community college free.”

Chesser said that he enjoyed listening to Obama’s speech and the atmosphere of comradery from the attending group.

“I think the most memorable thing for me,” Chesser said, “was the huge amount of support from everyone there. Whether they like Obama or not, everyone was excited for the opportunity to see the President.”

Obama was scheduled to visit KU last spring, but had to cancel due to the Boston Marathon bombing.