Raised hands, cheers, a standing ovation and a circulation of text messages and phone calls contributed to the collective reaction that filled Jack Adams Hall when CNN's headline "Breaking News: Barack Obama elected President" appeared on the projection screen.

The election party in Jack Adams Hall captured the excitement and responses to the presidential election from over 300 viewers, who watched the election coverage from CNN over a large projection screen. The gathering began around 7 p.m. and also included stand-by analysis about the news reports by a panel of experts from SF State's Political Science Department.

The event's three panelists, Grame Boushey, Francis Neely and Erin Schonick, paraphrased the election's updates, made comments on the news coverage and answered questions from the audience. The panelists also discussed the historical importance of some details about the election, such as the fact that it was the first time in four years that Virginia voted for a Democrat.

Hosted by the moderator and dean of the Political Science Department, Joel Kassiola, the hall was lined in rows of nearly 400 green chairs, and a microphone was placed in the middle of the hall for questions and comments from viewers. Audience members' questions ranged from inquiries about the closing of the polls in California to comments about North Dakota being a significant state for both candidates.

Following the announcement that Obama won the election, overwhelming applause and cheers rose after statements from the television's live coverage like, "Barack Obama will become the 44th president," or to the simple mentioning of his name, which preceded chants of "Yes, we can!" There was also applause for McCain's speech after the election results.

Travis Northup, a cinema major, was sitting in the front row of the hall and said he was the first person to see the final on-screen results. He was in complete shock and happiness, calling the voters' efforts and the outcome amazing.

"It's hard to believe, but we actually did it," said Northup, 19. "I jumped up and down and started screaming and shouting! I went crazy. I just couldn't believe it."

He also said the historical election is something this generation will remember the for the next 50 or 60 years. "I think Barack Obama will change so much about this country, and I think that's what we need," said Northup.

Estefani Morales, an International Relations Major, also said she was completely shocked to hear the final results and called the moment surreal, amazing, pivotal and emotional. As an Obama supporter, she expressed her concern that Obama will stick to the promises he made about changes to tax cuts, foreign policy and Healthcare.

"[I hope] he'll follow through with the policies that he's been talking about," said Morales. "I feel like that's what will help us in the long run."

Although Jack Adams was mainly packed with a majority of Obama supporters who were pleased with the conclusion of the presidential election, there were a small number of McCain supporters and voters from independent parties.

Franko Alli, a Libertarian, said he was expecting Obama to win because he knows the majority of people at SF State and San Francisco are supporters of Obama. Alli also said that he has heavily researched Obama's stand on different issues, and although he does not agree with some of the solutions Obama presents, he still has respect for him.

"I'm happy to see America working together, even if I disagree," said Alli. "[But I think] this still sucks... I know I'll be hearing about it from my friends tomorrow."

Kassiola, the moderator of the Jack Adams Hall election party, explained that in 2004, there was an election party in Jack Adams Hall, but there weren't nearly as many people who attended the event. He also said there wasn't the same energy and enthusiasm four years ago.

"[At the end of the election party four years ago], there was one person who approached the microphone and said, 'There's always next year,'" said Kassiola.

Kassiola said he was very happy with the turn-out of this year's presidential election party and was especially happy to see the lively energy of the attendees. He said his original goal was to get students involved in the presidential campaigns within a group setting.

"I think it's important to watch [the election] in a social situation [as opposed] to being home alone or at a bar watching the election results," said Kassiola.