Alma reacts on Presidential Election Result

NAYONIKAA SINGHAAL
STAFF WRITER

11/11/2024

Wednesday, November 6th, Donald Trump, for the second time, was voted in as the President of the United States of America. Following a hard-fought and divisive election, Trump now faces the immense responsibility of guiding the nation through a period of uncertainty and challenge, while striving to unite a divided country and pave the way for future growth.

As the United States ushers in a new president, students, faculty,[1]  and staff at Alma College are expressing a range of reactions to Trump’s election. With a country divided and facing significant challenges, the response on campus reflects a mixture of hope, skepticism,[2]  and anticipation for the future.

For some students, President Trump’s election signals a new chapter for the nation—one that focuses on healing and progress. “I was surprised, but in a good way. I felt like Donald Trump could win the election, should win the election, which he did, but I was also a little nervous, so I went to bed unsure, and I woke up surprised,” said Sam Leppien (’26).

However, not everyone on campus shares the same sense of optimism. Some students express concern that the new president will face significant resistance in Washington, D.C., and that his ability to enact meaningful change will be limited by partisan gridlock.

“I was truly sad and angry when I first heard about the results of the 2024 election. I was closely watching Pennsylvania, and around 2:00 a.m., I was on FaceTime with my younger brother as we slowly watched it turn red, and I was heartbroken,” said Nayeli Santana-Venegas (’27).

“Trump’s campaign promise of dismantling the Department of Education is very concerning to me, both as an education student here at Alma and knowing that many students rely on federal aid to attend college. This promise, if achieved, could have dire effects on institutions like Alma that are already struggling financially due to lower enrollment numbers for a multitude of reasons, including students not being able to afford college,” said Mallory Fenskie (’26).

An important aspect of the victory of any president is the policies they bring to the country and the effect they might have on the people of that country. While many seem optimistic, others hold fears for the future of America.

“[Trump] wants to deport over 10 million people from the country… this thing is daunting and incredibly expensive, and he never talked about that. He’s just like, ‘we’re just going to round up all these people, and we’re going to kick them out of the country,’ ” said Britte Cartrite, Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness.

“No one in my family is at risk of being swept up in this, but my neighbors, my friends, and people that I see around town are at risk and afraid. I think that will have a very real chilling effect. I think it plays to some of the worst aspects of what it is to be an American,” said Cartrite.

Many staff and students believe that while there may be some disruption within the Alma College community, life on campus—and in the broader community—will likely continue without major upheaval. 

“I feel like with this election being so controversial, the campus might have a hard time staying civil at some points, but I’m not really concerned about that. I think life goes on, and the campus will go on, and so will the community,” said Leppien.

Despite this belief, numerous people continue to remain alarmed by the election results in the Alma College community.

“I think that Donald Trump made it extremely and explicitly clear about what he was planning to do… which includes things like raising tariffs on China by 60%, on Mexico by 100%, and if he makes those changes… the very significant progress that the U.S. has made in bringing inflation from 9% to 2% over the last two years—every economist who is reputable in the field is warning about the significant inflationary impacts… will invite retaliation by other countries… so what we risk is a return to a 1930s era of isolationism,” said Dr. Derick Hulme, Professor of Political Science.

In an era of deep political division, many are questioning how to navigate the complex dynamics between ideological differences and personal connections. As the nation grapples with polarized politics, some continue to remind us of the fundamental need for empathy and unity.

“I think we have to remember that we are not actually Republicans or Democrats—we’re Americans, and more importantly, we’re people. We’re people who care about each other, and while politics are important, I think the human connection of a community is what ultimately matters,” said Dr. Ben Peterson, Co-Director of the Center for College and Community Engagement (3CE).