John Carroll University students are experiencing mixed emotions over the presidential election. A handful of students feel disappointed by the way the elections have unfolded.
Former President Donald Trump pulled in 312 electoral votes to Vice President Kamala Harris’ 226. As of Nov. 12, Trump leads the popular vote with 74,834,277 votes (50.4 percent while has 71,239,855 votes (48 percent).
After the election on Nov. 5, tensions have been high.
“I’m disappointed, but also agitated,” expressed Marcus Lewis ’27. “I can’t understand why anyone would vote for a felon who can barely keep himself out of the news.”
Other students were disappointed but not as concerned, such as first-time voter Rickianna Roberts ’28 and T’Erica Watt ’28.
Roberts, who majors in biology and chemistry, voted for a third-party candidate and was “not surprised” by the election outcome. Watt, a nursing major, shared the same sentiment. “I wasn’t really mad. There’s a higher power, I’m not too upset right now.”
The clash of the two candidates held everyone on edge for months. Trump, who comes from a wealthy background and grew up in New York City, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania before launching himself into many business ventures.
Harris grew up in Berkley, Calif., graduating from Howard University and then from the University of California’s College of Law. She served in many positions, eventually moving from the attorney general of California to serving in the United States Senate.
The two come from very different backgrounds and garnered the attention and support of differing groups of voters.
“I think it went well,” stated Chris, a senior who did not wish to give his full name. “I’m really glad that it ended in one day. There was a lot of reaction, but I feel that most people are satisfied.”
However, Madison Rosado ’25 had a different outlook on the election. “I felt a bit indifferent the past few days. I didn’t fully educate myself on the candidates and what they stood for. I watched the election a little bit, but I was unsure. I am hopeful,” she said.
Camile, an exchange student from France, shared her thoughts. “It is different [in] France. Here, they mainly focus on the emotional appeal and trying to connect with the candidate. In France, it is more geared towards a logical appeal.” The person did not want to give out a full name.
However, Payton, a communication major who prefers to not be fully identified, expressed different views. “I voted [for] Trump because he will make things better for the United States,” Payton said. “He will lower inflation, make things better to afford, deport [illegal immigrants] that shouldn’t be allowed in the country, fix the economy and persuade Putin that we shouldn’t be enemies of Russia anymore.”
Darla, another communication major who also wishes to not be fully identified, agreed with Payton. “I voted for Trump mainly for the economy,” she said. “His economic policies have been a strong support for my small business. In the past, he did a lot for small business owners and I did not see that from Harris [during] her years in office.”
In the aftermath of the 2024 election, John Carroll University students remain divided, reflecting the nation’s ongoing polarization. While some students express disappointment and frustration over the re-election of Donald Trump, others view it with acceptance or optimism, driven by hopes for economic improvements and policy changes. The mixed reactions capture a campus—and a country—wrestling with the implications of a consequential election. As students process their emotions, many are already looking ahead, hopeful that the coming years might bridge the divides and bring meaningful change.
Vic Jackson, Amelia Marlow, Jacob Meyers, Lydia Bennett and Dae’ Dyon Shaw contributed to this story.