Keynote Speaker , UC MERCED , Class 2009

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of California - Merced
1

<p>It was announced today that Michelle Obama accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker for the 1st inaugural graduating Class 2009. The graduates put together a persuasive presentation that convinced the 1st Lady to accept their invitation.</p>

<p>To view the official webpage announcing this news go here --->
U</a> C Merced - First Lady Obama to Address UC Merced Graduating Class</p>

2

<p>WOW this is awesome. I’m so jealous! I’m really pumped to be a bobcat and now even more =]</p>

3

<p>not to burst your bubble or anything…but how is this going to help the UCM graduating class? just wondering…</p>

<p>i know it shows support and all, but iono</p>

4

<p>It will help them a lot! Encourage them to succeed! I bet you’re a bitter Conservative</p>

5

<p>To solong: How do keynote speakers help any graduating class at any university? Sorry to burst your bubble, but they generally don’t. It’s the experience that matters and well, let’s just say I won’t be making any sudden movements around the secret service when the First Lady arrives. :)</p>

6

<p>For those who didn’t see this: [YouTube</a> - “We Believe” in Michelle Obama](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QURjq5Bk72c]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QURjq5Bk72c)</p>

<p>For Solong: Fusionall is right. It doesn’t help the graduating students but, it will give us inspiration for the future. Michelle Obama does help the university. Here is what is currently happening: the UC president is coming for the first time to UCM because of Michelle Obama, UCM expansion has been approved, and the school has been recognized as a UC.
Four years I said: “I am going to UCM” people response was “What is UCM?”
2009: “I am graduating from UCM” people response are “OH that University!”</p>

<p>For fusionall: Yes, I expecting secrete service, police, security guards, news reporters, traffic, and no parking. I am planning to park my car 1-2 days before the event. Tickets will be passed out to the graduating students and their family (I heard some people might resell them on Ebay).
Here is the concept photo for Commencement: [YouTube</a> - UC Merced Concept Logo for Commencement + Shots Breakdown](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N2oP7u9h0o&feature=channel_page]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N2oP7u9h0o&feature=channel_page)</p>

7

<p>Yeah, I’m going to watch the ceremony if it’s aired on TV (and I’m not a bitter conservative =P…I’m actually debating between UCM, UCSC, and UCI right now)</p>

<p>don’t get me wrong, there ARE positive things about going to UCM, but let’s stay on topic; the graduation ceremony is gonna be awesome I’m sure.</p>

8

<p>Yes it is! I’m trying to get tickets but there seems to be nowhere to get them! I’m willing to pay a lot for them. I really want to go</p>

9

<p>Well I got my 8 tickets for guests and 1 for myself. (Gosh I can’t believe I have to have a ticket for my own graduation.) Tickets can not be sold because they are numbered.(Before getting the tickets I had to sign a form to agree to not sell them.)
The school is currently being patch up for the graduation.
Pictures from my phone:
<a href=“http://i43.■■■■■■■.com/19krxk.jpg[/url]”>http://i43.■■■■■■■.com/19krxk.jpg&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://i42.■■■■■■■.com/34fktxu.jpg[/url]”>http://i42.■■■■■■■.com/34fktxu.jpg&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://i43.■■■■■■■.com/2ajnfkm.jpg[/url]”>http://i43.■■■■■■■.com/2ajnfkm.jpg&lt;/a&gt;
About Class 2009 Senior Gift:
[UC</a> Merced](<a href=“http://www.ucmerced.edu/featuredetail.asp?featureid=175]UC”>http://www.ucmerced.edu/featuredetail.asp?featureid=175)</p>

10

<p>Today is the big day for Merced’s 2009 graduating class. Congrats! Michelle Obama is going to speak at the commencement. Anyone else attending?</p>

<p>BTW Angkor…that’s an awesome name. That’s the name of my ancestor’s great city!</p>

11

<p>I attende and it was AWESOME! Her speech was very inspiring. I felt bad when half the people left after she was done with her speech.</p>

12

<p>Is there any video of her speech? You guys are very lucky. =)</p>

13

<p>Ah, glad you had a good time. Nothing better than inspiring words from a powerful, international figure to start a new chapter in one’s life.</p>

14

<p>Her entire speech is actually on youtube. Very cool :slight_smile: </p>

<p>[YouTube</a> - {Part 1} First Lady Michelle Obama Commencement Speech @ U.C. Merced](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP3W3P-xQxk]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP3W3P-xQxk)
[YouTube</a> - {Part 2} First Lady Michelle Obama Commencement Speech @ U.C. Merced](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcicqNPLihI]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcicqNPLihI)
[YouTube</a> - {Part 3} First Lady Michelle Obama Commencement Speech @ U.C. Merced](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gI3ufrBGc4]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gI3ufrBGc4)</p>

15

<p>Thanks! I guess I should’ve done the proactive thing and looked for it on YT myself…but thanks for being kind and posting all three parts.</p>

16

<p>To give a quick update…I feel that this has been very positive for UCM. The place seemed to be more energized this last year. More people are coming to the campus!
People I have talked to outside of Merced, ask me about Mrs. Obama.</p>

<p>I hope that Mrs. Obama’s visit is the first in a long line of achievements for UCM.</p>

<p>Furthermore, I believed that this also served as a catalyst for President Carters visit, and for the upcoming visit of Karl Rove (even though I think he is a scoundrel).</p>

<p>In terms of California, Merced is very unique politically. Much more “blue collar” than other cities, if you read the News paper you will find that the area seems to be very conservative, but we have a democratic congress man…go figure???<br>
Merced is much more moderate than people give it credit for!
Maybe UCM, has a greater future as a political bellwether, as a place for great political debate and research. </p>

<p>This is just my opinion, though…</p>