The East Wing has announced that First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to deliver three commencement addresses this spring. Included in her schedule is the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, one of the nation’s historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The University is considered the “flagship of the Delta” offering unique Bachelors and Graduate programs. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers the only Bachelor and Master’s Degree Programs in Aquaculture/Fisheries in the state of Arkansas. The program is internationally recognized for its educational and economic value.
Back in September, Mrs Obama issued a challenge to the students of George Washington University to complete 100,000 hours of community service and as a reward she would speak at their commencement. The students of GWU are are definitely holding up their end of the bargain. Last time I checked they were a little over 75,000 hours.
Here is the First Lady’s commencement address scheduled courtesy of the East Wing …
Ø On May 8th, the First Lady will address the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Established more than 130 years ago, the University began as the only state-supported institution of higher education for African Americans in Arkansas. Like many of the nation’s more than one-hundred historically black colleges and universities, the University has played a special role in enabling young people from many walks of life to further their education. While the University offers many different areas of study, it remains dedicated to the mission of providing educational opportunities to underserved communities particularly in the Arkansas Delta region. It is one of a small number of HBCUs that also are land-grant institutions and thus have a long history of preparing students for fields in agriculture, farming, and engineering. The University currently boasts an enrollment of more than 3500 students.
Ø On May 16th, The George Washington University will host their graduation ceremonies in Washington DC. Mrs. Obama is scheduled to address this group provided the student body, faculty and staff complete the 100,000 hours of community service required during the 2009-2010 academic year. Mrs. Obama issued the challenge for these service hours in exchange for her commencement visit in September of 2009, during the first National Day of Service and Remembrance, which was the culmination of President Barack Obama’s “United We Serve” summer service initiative.
Ø On June 11th, Mrs. Obama will address the Anacostia Senior High School Commencement, a DC public school that Mrs. Obama visited in the spring of 2009 in conjunction with her Women of Excellence event and her early mentoring activities as First Lady.
In 2009, Mrs. Obama spoke to the University of California, Merced’s first full senior class. She also addressed the Washington Math and Science Tech Public Charter High School Graduation in Washington DC.
Posted by Aminah Hanan
