President Obama to Speak at UM Spring Commecement

[apacherose]

Source: publicbroadcasting.net

President Barack Obama will deliver this Spring's commencement address at the University of Michigan. The university made the announcement today.

Barack Obama will be the 3rd sitting U.S. president to give a commencement address at the U of M. President Lyndon Johnson used his 1964 commencement speech at the University of Michigan to unveil his 'Great Society' program. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush talked against 'Politically Correct' speech in his U of M commencement address. Former president, and U of M grad, Gerald R. Ford delivered the commencement address in 1974, three months before he succeeded Richard Nixon.

President Obama will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree.

"President Obama has captured the imagination and enthusiasm of many students with his inspiring words of hope and change. We are honored to welcome a leader of his distinction and look forward to his message," U of M President Mary Sue Coleman said. "We could not be happier for the graduates who will celebrate their academic achievements with the president of the United States."

Read more: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/michigan/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1611326/Michigan.News/Pres..Obama.to.Speak.At.U.of.M.Spring.Commencement

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Wahoo! The president is giving my year's commencement speech! It's going to feel great graduating and getting my degree with this man's blessings. Go Blue 2010!

[Fire1]

1. GO BLUE!!!! n/t

[amandabeech]

2. GO BLUE!!!

And the Big U lands another star member of the team.

I bet that Obama would like to shoot some hoops with the team at the Chrysler Arena before he gives his speech.

[elfin]

3. Woo Hoo! Go Blue!

Sadly, when my son graduated, the speaker was GW Bush. He returned to DC and had some sort of health "event", which sounded heart related, but was a false alarm.

I graduated half year eons ago and do not even know who spoke, since I did not attend the ceremonies, but celebrated copiously with friends.

Good news for this RRod hater but a die hard M fan.

[Bozita]

4. Hillary Clinton spoke at my daughter's commencement in '93. Her topic was healthcare reform.

apacherose: You've got a typo in your title line.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Lucky Graduate you are!

I'm a bit envious. My daughter graduated from Harvard last year,
and all we got was that lousy newsinfotainment guy, Matt Lauer. Whatta gip that was! :(

We did have Sec. of Energy Yu, the day before, but that wasn't the same thing;
he wasn't the "star".....

[alp227]

11. Matt Lauer speaking at Harvard? Interesting choice.

I thought that Ivy Leaguers were beyond the Main$tream Media.

[Reterr]

6. Go blue

Michigan grad here! :bounce:

[handmade34]

7. I am so jealous, but so happy for you

My brother got his masters from U of M...

[D-Lee]

8. Let's hope the speech matches LBJ's introduction of the "Great Society"

That WOULD be really wonderful!

[Grassy Knoll]

9. Yeah buddy !

[apacherose]

10. can't believe it

I knew this day would come but its starting to freak me out...school is so nice...Ann Arbor is so beautiful...

I'm getting my degree in Computer Science Engineering. I wonder what Obama's speech is going to focus on? Restoring the economy of Michigan? Green jobs? I know all the talented college grads tend to leak out of Michigan after they finish school.

[alp227]

12. I have a friend who goes to Michigan. This is good news.

And it seems that the President's been doing commencements at schools around the Great Lakes region; last year he did it at Notre Dame (with some controversy over his pro-choice stance).