First Lady Michelle Obama To Address 2016 Graduating Seniors
As part of her Reach Higher initiative, Mrs. Obama will deliver the commencement addresses at Jackson State University in Jackson, MS ; Santa Fe Indian School in Santa Fe, NM and City College of New York in New York, NY. These mark the final commencement addresses Mrs. Obama will deliver as First Lady.
Saturday, April 23rd
Jackson, Mississippi – The First Lady will deliver the address at Jackson State University’s 139th Spring Commencement Ceremony. Mrs. Obama will address more than 1,000 graduates as well as their friends, family and members of the university community.
Jackson State University was founded in 1877 as a four-year public university; it is one of the largest institutions of higher learning in Mississippi and a Historically Black University originally established to educate newly freed African Americans to become ministers and teachers. Mrs. Obama has delivered remarks on an HBCU campus each year she has served as First Lady.
Echoing the call of the First Lady’s Reach Higher initiative, Jackson State University and the Jackson Public School District collaborated to form the first laboratory school in the Jackson area. Since 2013, Blackburn Laboratory Middle School has partnered with JSU in an effort to transform Blackburn into a highly successful middle school for replication and study of successful practices in the district, state, and nation.
This event is open to pre-credential media. To RSVP, please contact Dr. Elayne H. Anthony at elayne.h.anthony@jsums.edu.
Thursday, May 26th
Santa Fe, New Mexico – As part of the White House Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) Initiative, the First Lady will deliver the high school commencement address to the Class of 2016 at Santa Fe Indian School. Gen-I works to improve the lives of Native youth by promoting a national dialogue and programs to cultivate the next generation of Native leaders. Last year, the First Lady addressed the White House Tribal Youth Gathering in Washington, DC.
Originally founded in 1890, as a Federal off-reservation boarding school, the Santa Fe Indian School is currently owned and operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. Recently honored as a National Association Secondary School Breaking the Ranks Showcase School, SFIS is a leader in Native American education and proud of its history to educate the next generation of tribal leadership. Graduates of SFIS participate in the culture of their communities and will have the skills to pursue the education and careers that will benefit them, their families, and their people. For the past five years, SFIS has had an average graduation rate of 98%, and over 90% of this year’s graduating class plan to pursue a post-secondary degree.
This event is open to pre-credential media. To RSVP, please contact Kimball Sekaquaptewa at kimball@sfis.k12.nm.us.
Friday, June 3rd
New York, New York – The First Lady will deliver the commencement address during the 170th Commencement Ceremony at The City College of New York on the CCNY campus in historic Harlem, where more than 3,000 students make up the Class of 2016.
The City College of New York was the first public higher education institution in New York City and has one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation with over 40% first-generation college students, almost 40% non-native English speakers, and half from low-income households. Established as a free institution dedicated to overcoming barriers to advancement, CCNY continues its mission of access to excellence and keeping tuition affordable.
