William H. Kelly III
Associate Editor
After weeks of anticipation, Jackson State University students, faculty, alumni and supporters were bursting with excitement with the news that First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, would give the 2016 undergraduate commencement address.
On Feb. 23, JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers, released a memo stating that the spring graduation commencement would be moved up one week to accommodate a high profile speaker. Social media immediately lit up with rumors of possible speakers.
When the announcement reached graduates and their families, there was a lot of talk among the student body about inconvenience to families and costs associated with a change in dates, including travel arrangements and other expenses associated with graduation like invitations. Students are now expressing that the first lady was worth the change in dates.
“Michelle Obama speaking at MY graduation was definitely worth the wait! Seeing her is one thing, but sitting ground level listening to her address us (JSU graduates) specifically and possibly shaking her hand on stage is truly a blessing!” said Tiffany T. Holland, a senior finance major from Coldwater, Miss.
Amber Davis, a senior accounting major from Jackson, Miss., looks forward to the historic moment for JSU.
“Yes, it was definitely worth the wait. Having Michelle Obama as our commencement speaker will be a historic moment for JSU and us (seniors). With this being her last few months as First Lady, I think it was just the right timing. I can’t wait. What a blessed time to be a Tiger,” said Davis.
According to the White House press release, as a part of FLOTUS’ Reach Higher Initiative, Obama will be deliver the graduation addresses for Jackson State University as well as Santa Fe Indian School in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and City College of New York in New York, New York.
According to the whitehouse.gov website the Reach Higher Initiative is the First Lady’s effort to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.
Less than an hour after the announcement to the public, social media immediately began to flood with screenshots of the article from the Clarion Ledger.
“It’s an honor for Michelle Obama to come to speak, and I think she will be inspirational because her message will not only touch and connect with the graduates but also with the students, faculty, and the community in some way,” said Mya Lee, a junior history major from Jackson, Miss.
According to the JSU official website, the Spring 2016 Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement exercises will occur in two separate ceremonies. The commencement exercises for graduate students will occur at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 22, in the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center. The commencement exercises for undergraduate students will occur at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
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