Obama was 'cool, cute and charismatic' even in college

NEW YORK: Snaps dating back to 1980 have come to light, which show a rather 'cool' side of US president-elect Barack Obama.

A series of photographs showing a relaxed Obama during his time as a student have been published as he was named person of the year by Time magazine.

The pictures, taken in 1980 by Lisa Jack, a fellow student at Occidental University, lay forgotten in her basement for years until she hunted them out during the election build-up.

The snaps were three decades ago and capture 20-year-old college student Barack "Barry" Obama suavely striking a pose in a leather jacket and dragging on a cigarette.

Taken during a 1980 photo shoot by Occidental College pal Lisa Jack, the snapshots show that the freshman was already showing off the quiet confidence of a future president, reports the New York Times.

"He was very charismatic even then," Jack recalled of the brief encounter at her off-campus Los Angeles apartment.

"He was really cute. What else does a 20-year-old girl remember?" she told Time.

"He was a little nervous," she said.

"You can see he's just posing, initially, and as the shoot goes on, he starts to come out," she added.

Back then, Jack had wanted to add some portraits to her portfolio and was introduced to Obama through a friend of a friend who thought he would make a good subject.