PHOTOS The First Lady at the University of California Merced

[Jackeens]

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The weather?

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Christel Gellidon wears a box on her head to protect herself from the heat prior to U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama's address to the first four-year graduating class at the University of California Merced in Merced, California May 16, 2009.



MERCED, Calif. -- First lady Michelle Obama praised graduates at California's smallest, youngest public university for their struggle to succeed, urging the jubilant group to give back to their communities in her debut as a commencement speaker on Saturday.

Before a crowd of 12,000 wilting in the afternoon sun, Obama evoked the struggles of California's founders - settlers and former slaves, trailblazers and truck drivers - to admonish the 493 members of the school's first full graduating class to use their newfound skills to lift up those around them.

"Many of you may be considering leaving town with your diploma in hand, and it wouldn't be unreasonable," Mrs. Obama said. "By using what you've learnt here you can shorten the path perhaps for kids who may not see a path at all. I was once one of those kids."

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/1867703.html?mi_rss=Top%20Stories

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_California,_Merced


Short video here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x313122


Mind you, not everyone was working Saturday:



President Barack Obama celebrates after his daughter Sasha's soccer team scored a goal during a game in Georgetown, May 16, 2009 in Washington, DC.

[senseandsensibility]

1. Before anyone makes any cracks about "bare arms"

it was way over a hundred degrees today here and this event was at midday in the full sun. Way to go, Michelle!

[Kdillard]

2. Thanks Jackeens I heard her speech was very good. She looks lovely.

[Cha]

7. I was just going to say that

Michelle has a perfect right to bare arms no matter what the temperature is.

[xenussister]

27. I'd be sweating buckets, soaking wet. How does she DO it??

How does she look so cool and crisp, even when wearing a hot robe on a 100+ day?

Do they have fans on the stage focused on the speakers? I haven't watched the video yet (I will) so I don't know. It just seems almost supernatural that no one is sweating.

[uponit7771]

3. People like her and she doesn't scare me like the last one did...

[babylonsister]

4. Thank you, Jackeens. She's really an inspiration!

Her speech was terrific, as is she.

[liquid diamond]

5. That's quit a crowd.

I appreciate your photo threads Jackeens. They are an escape from all the...never mind. Keep up the good work.

[BlooInBloo]

6. And kudos to the kids who headed the lobbying effort to get her to speak!

Apparently the effort was non-trivial.

[Cha]

10. It's another story of hope and success..

:)
Updated: 05/16/2009 07:37:08 AM PDT

<snip>

MERCED — Since it opened four years ago, the scrappy University of California-Merced has battled for recognition and respect. It's been hard to attract students and faculty to the fledgling Central Valley campus; students who are rejected from other UCs are referred to Merced. The sparsely built school of 2,700 doesn't have ranked sports teams, and there are no "Bobcat" alumni to raise money on its behalf.

Until now.

Thanks to an ultra-atomic campaign by a group of graduating students, First Lady Michelle Obama arrives on campus today as commencement speaker for the pioneering Class of 2009. That feat has vastly elevated the school's status, lit the dusky region with pride, and is filling hotels and restaurants with out-of-towners who usually confuse Merced with the region's other "M" towns, like Modesto and Manteca.

"This is the first step in UC-Merced becoming a prestigious university," said senior Efferman Ezell, a key organizer of "Operation Lady Bird," the code name students used as they waged their successful campaign earlier this spring to land Obama for their commencement speaker. "We have really upped the ante."

Now Ezell and other student leaders squeeze media interviews in between final exams, and the campus is giddy with anticipation. It took contractors three days to set up 12,000 rented white folding chairs and grounds keepers are mulching freshly planted trees. Even expectant jack rabbits are hopping among rows of newly erected port-a-potties. T-shirts that ask "Got Michelle?" are about to go on sale at the bookstore."

<more>
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12381543?source=most_emailed

[islandgirl808]

8. gawd she is just soooo

über fabulous!

congrats to all the graduates :)

[Cha]

9. Can anybody else match the

Obamas' enthusiasm?

[Phx_Dem]

14. The old guys sitting around Michelle look really enthusiastic.

NOT! LOL

Isn't she cute!?

[Cha]

15. She's

adorable.

[lunatica]

11. That's the very first graduating class of UC Merced

They were the first students four years ago. They are very special. I work at UC Berkeley so I'm very proud of them.

[OutNow]

12. My Niece Was There

My niece is a Junior at UC Merced and was an usher for today's ceremony. She was born and raised in Merced and went to the local Community College before transferring to the university last fall. There aren't many good career opportunities in Merced and having the new university open is wonderful.

BTW - my rabid Rushbot BIL (my niece's uncle) also lives in Merced, but he was not as pleased with Michelle's visit.

To my niece I say - enjoy your day. You will remember it for the rest of your life.

To my BIL I say - F,,, You, We won the election asshole.

[marlakay]

21. My cousin graduated there today

I couldn't come because when everyone found out Michelle was going to be there all of her friends and family wanted to come and they limited tickets. but my 82 yr old mom went and i am so happy for her. she was so excited. i can't wait to ask her about it tomorrow. i was worried about her and the heat.

My mom is best friends with my cousins gramma that was her in...

[Barb in Atl]

26. My niece graduated there! (yay Lisa)

Wish I could have been there - even in the heat. My brother, her dad, said women were dropping from the heat. But he apprecated the water and the popsicles.

And if your niece was one that lobbied for Michelle to be there, thank her for my family.

[Phx_Dem]

13. I love pics 3 and 8. In a sea of old white faces (mostly), there's Michelle

with her huge beaming smile and energy! Pic 8 is especially adorable!

God, I love this woman.

[Justitia]

19. Those are my favorites too. She is totally dynamic in a motionless sea - LOL.

Thanks again Jackeens - your pic threads are my favorite part of DU!

[Diane R]

16. And she's wearing her OWN doctoral hood with doctoral stripes! She didn't need an honorary degree!

[goclark]

17. Her speech was simply awesome, just awesome

and the photos added to my pleasure.
thanks

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. How did I miss this treasure?

Thank you, my dear Jackeens, for these wonderful pics!

Michelle looks fabulous, enthusiastic and super-intelligent!

I'm so pleased she came out for this very important graduation...

The First at UC Merced!

K&R

:patriot:

[FrenchieCat]

20. Bountiful Exuberance! That's my girl! :)

[Tarheel_Dem]

22. Careful Jackeens. You'll be accused of contributing to the "teenbeat" downward spiral of DU.

:rofl:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5669873

:yourock: Recommended.

[gauguin57]

23. Check out her wonderful speech.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/30783562#30783562

[Wednesdays]

24. K&R

:kick:

[Scurrilous]

25. K & R

:thumbsup: