First Lady Michelle Obama urges UC Merced grads to 'dream big'
By Diane Moody
Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Updated: Saturday, October 10, 2009
Diane Moody
Diane Moody
People who atttended the ceremony unprepared for the unseasonal heat, improvised hats by any means necessary.
Diane Moody
Commemorative Michelle Obama t-shirts sold well, reflecting the general enthusiasm for the University's pick of a commencement speaker.
Diane Moody
Diane Moody
Diane Moody
Mrs. Obama received the Chancellor's award during the ceremonies.
Diane Moody
"Wow," Obama said in response to the cheers and ovation that greeted her.
Diane Moody for the Pirates' Log
Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker at the UC Merced Commencement 2009.
First Lady Michelle Obama delivers the Commencement speech for 517 graduating students of the University of California, Merced on Saturday, May 16, 2009, before an estimated crowd of 12,000 graduates, parents and guests.The Class of 2009 is the first class of four-year students to graduate.
On a sweltering Central Valley day as temperatures topped 100 degrees, Mrs. Obama urged graduates to "dream big, think broadly about your life," give back to the community, and "take the same hope and optimism, the hard work and tenacity that brought you to this point and carry that with you for the rest of your life in whatever you choose to do."
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