First lady to UC Merced: 'You inspired me'

Michelle Obama praises pioneering graduates, urges them to give back.

Published online on Saturday, May. 16, 2009

MERCED -- During a commencement speech Saturday to the inaugural class of the University of California at Merced, first lady Michelle Obama urged graduates to "dream big and think broadly" about life.

Obama -- in her first commencement address as first lady and first visit to the region -- paid tribute to the pioneering spirit of the Class of 2009, and also asked them to make giving back a priority in their lives.

"Think of the millions of kids living all over this world who will never come close to having the chance to stand in your shoes," she said in a 20-minute address delivered in unforgiving heat to about 12,000 people.

"Remember that you are blessed," Obama said. "Remember that in exchange for those blessings, you must give something back."

Obama's appearance dominated the commencement at the UC's youngest of 10 campuses, where trailblazing students arrived in 2005 to find only a few buildings, and trees too small to cast shade. The campus now has about 2,700 students.

Videotaped messages from students and speakers at the commencement recalled the university's humble beginnings on an old golf course. Here, they said, students would dodge rabbits on the way to class, and there were few nonacademic distractions for parents to worry about.

One student told his mother: "The only thing they have up here is cows."

Four years later, the university hit the big time with its keynote address. Obama's appearance ratcheted up the commencement cost -- from $100,000 to $700,000 -- but also lured more than 50 media outlets to cover a graduation that otherwise may have interested only the local press.

The ceremony ran smoothly, but "the one thing we couldn't control was the weather," said Jane Lawrence, vice chancellor for student affairs.

Temperatures ranged into the 90s. Ushers handed out thousands of bottles of water -- roughly 48,000 bottles were purchased or donated by local grocery stores and bottled-water companies.

Campus officials said eight people were sent to the hospital with heat-related problems. Close to 80 people sought help at first aid tents.

The stage was shaded, however, and Obama seemed unaffected by the heat.

Obama, clad in black academic robe, drew parallels between the nearly 20-year-old postcard campaign that helped Merced land the campus and the letter-writing effort that persuaded her to sign on as the keynote speaker.

Obama was won over by a high-energy but low-budget campaign, which included handwritten Valentine cards, letters, a Facebook page and YouTube video.

"You inspired me, you touched me," she said. Obama quoted several letters, including one that read: "We could really use the publicity."

Eighteen students who led the "Dear Michelle" campaign met briefly with Obama in a classroom before the ceremony Saturday. They said they were struck by how tall, warm and humble she was. She gave each of them a hug.

"It was the longest five minutes of my life," said Megan Machado, 21, of San Francisco, who graduated with a degree in biological sciences. She said she meant that in the best possible way.

Several students said Obama's private words and public speech cemented their dedication to giving back and helping Merced, an area hit hard by foreclosures and high unemployment.

"Her words make it more concrete that I want to be in Merced," said David Do, the son of Vietnamese immigrants and the first member of his family to graduate from college. Do, 21, of San Jose said he plans to attend law school and return to Merced as a prosecutor.