In a cozy fifth floor lounge in the Quadrangle's Provost Tower, a handful of students put aside their homework and quietly gathered around a wide-screen television.
Across campus, a pool game in the High Rise South lobby stopped abruptly as students turned their attention to the commander in chief.
President Bush, not always a favorite among Penn students, earned high marks on campus following his speech to Congress and the nation last night.
The president touched a chord with many students, highlighting the solidary Americans have shown in the aftermath of last week's deadly terrorist attacks.
"I thought it was inspiring, and appropriate given the situation," Wharton freshman Brian Wong said. "I agree with what Bush said."
Bush has often been criticized for his speaking ability, but many students said they were pleasantly surprised by last night's speech.
"Someone like [President] Clinton would've been more charismatic to rally support, but considering Bush's abilities, he did a good job," Wong said.
"In terms of Bush's delivery, he's come a long way," said College freshman Patricia Joo, who watched the address in a friend's room. "He's matured a lot. He rose to the occasion and met the demands."
"For a Bush speech, I thought it was pretty good," College freshman Alyssa Rubinstein said. "He addressed the major issues."
Bush spent a significant part of his speech urging Americans not to associate Muslims or Arabs with Tuesday's attack, telling the American people that the current situation demands unity and support, not prejudice.
"I liked how he confronted the problems at hand, but at the same time comforted Muslims and Arabs," Joo added.
Some, however, weren't so impressed or inspired.
"He had some good stuff, but some trite stuff too," Engineering freshman Vijay Patel said.
"I was hoping for a more eloquent speech that would inspire me to join the Army or something," Wharton freshman Phillip Ryder said.
But Bush, who condemned the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and any other nations that harbor terrorists, did rally support at the University.
Engineering freshman Jacqueline Farag said that she agrees with Bush that war is the only effective course of action.
"I don't want to diminish the tragedy of those who've died, but right now, we need a war," Farag said. "We're lucky we're in college right now, because in four years, the economy's going to be pumping and the United States is going to come out number one, as usual."
However, most weren't as eager about talk of military aggression.
"On some issues, I think he went a little too far," Rubinstein said. "Tracking down every terrorist is unrealistic."
Farag disagreed, saying that Bush's goals were appropriate.
"People need to hear that right now," Farag said.
"Bush was right on line," Wharton freshman John Cavanagh agreed. "The American people needed to hear some strong words right now.
"I'm not worried about getting drafted, but if I did, I'd go gladly," Cavanagh said.
College junior David Price was excited by Bush's words.
"Like Bush said, this is going to be a different kind of war," Price said. "We are not fighting a country, we are fighting various agencies and I am not afraid of that. I'm looking forward to our success."
Many of those gathered around the television in Harrison were impressed with how well the president addressed the joint session.
"The president's message is important and I think he communicated it well tonight," Price said. "America will not stand for terrorism and we need to protect our country from future attacks. He conveyed that very effectively."
Bush's appointment of Gov. Tom Ridge as head of the newly created Office of Homeland Security brought a gasp of surprise into the room.
"Ridge's appointment demonstrates America's ongoing commitment to fight terrorism," Price said.
