To serve, not be served

President Obama continued to assert the importance of service in his acceptance speech. It was a theme he pushed often during the campaign.

"Remeber with humble gratitude our men and women who patrol in far-off lands," he said. "They embody the spirit of service, the willingness to find meaning in something other than themselves. That must inhabit us all."

Micah Baker, an English graduate assistant, found that call of service refreshing.

"When he addresses us as citizens," she said, "that definition includes service, community service, service that is above just going to work. One community project at a time is how he sees us getting this nation stronger."