MICHELLE OBAMA COMMENCEMENT SPEECH: UC Merced (VIDEO, FULL TEXT)

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Making her debut as a commencement speaker before a crowd of 12,000 on Saturday, FIrst Lady Michelle Obama praised graduates at the University of California, Merced, the state's smallest, youngest public university.

She urged the 493 members of the school's first full graduating class to give back to their communities:

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

"Remember that you are blessed -- remember that in exchange for those blessings you must give something back," Obama told the crowd. "You must reach back and pull someone up. You must bend down and let someone else stand on your shoulders so that they can see a brighter future."

The young school had worked hard to court Obama as a speaker, writing letters to her office, friends and family, and even starting a "Dear Michelle" Facebook campaign that sent 900 Valentine's Day cards to her.

Watch full video of the speech:

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Read the full transcript of the speech:

Thank you. Thank you so much, Class of 2009. (Applause.) All I can say is wow, and good afternoon, everyone. I am so proud of these graduates. We have to just give them one big round of applause before I start. This is just an amazing day. (Applause.) I want to thank Dick for that lovely introduction. He makes for a good companion when you have to go to an inauguration. (Laughter.) So I'm glad he could be here with me today. I appreciate all that he has done to make this day so very special.

I want to acknowledge a few other people before I begin: Congressman Jerry McNerney, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, Attorney General Jerry Brown, and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass. I want to thank you all for your leadership and for being an example of what a life in public service can mean to us all.

And of course I have to thank Chancellor Kang for this incredible welcome, and as well as President Yudof and Provost Keith Alley for all that they've done to help make this event just such a wonderful day for us all.

And to the graduates and their families and the entire community of Merced, I am so pleased, so thrilled, so honored to be here with all of you today. (Applause.)

Now, I know we've got a lot of national press out there, and a few people may be wondering why did I choose the University of California-Merced to deliver my first commencement speech as First Lady. (Applause.) Well, let me tell you something, the answer is simple: You inspired me, you touched me. (Applause.) You know, there are few things that are more rewarding than to watch young people recognize that they have the power to make their dreams come true. And you did just that. Your perseverance and creativity were on full display in your efforts to bring me here to Merced for this wonderful occasion. (Applause.)

So let me tell you what you did. If you don't know, parents, because some of you were involved, my office received thousands of letters and, of course, Valentines cards from students; each and every one of them so filled with hope and enthusiasm. It moved not just me but my entire staff. They came up to me and said, "Michelle, you have to do this." (Laughter.) "You have to go here!" (Applause.)

They were all terrific. Like the one from Christopher Casuga that read, "Dear Mrs. Obama -- Please come to UC Merced's Commencement. We could really use the publicity." (Laughter.) That really touched me.

Or then there was one from Jim Greenwood who wrote not on his behalf but on behalf of his wife and the mother of his two children, who is graduating with us today. (Applause.)

And then there was the one from Andrea Mercado. I think this was one of my favorites. Andrea said that the role of First Lady is -- and I quote -- "the balance between politics and sanity." (Laughter.) Thank you, Andrea, for that vote of confidence. (Laughter.)

I received letters from everyone connected to this university -- not just students, but they came from parents, and grandparents, and cousins, and aunts, and uncles, and neighbors, and friends, all of them telling me about how hard you all have worked and how important this day is for you and for the entire Merced community.

And then there's that beautiful video, the "We Believe" video. Well, let me tell you, it worked, because I'm here! (Applause.)

And I want to thank in particular Sam Fong and Yaasha Sabba and all of the students who launched the "Dear Michelle" campaign. (Applause.) I am honored by your efforts and happy to be with you to celebrate this important milestone.

But I understand that this type of community-based letter writing campaign isn't unique to me. This community, this Merced community, employed the same strategy to help get the University of California to build the new campus here in Merced. (Applause.) Every school kid in the entire county, I understand, sent a postcard to the UC Board of Regents in order to convince them to select Merced, and I just love the fact that some of the graduates sitting this audience today participating were involved in that campaign, as well, and then they used the same strategy to get me here. That is amazing. And what it demonstrates is the power of many voices coming together to make something wonderful happen. And I'm telling you, next year's graduation speaker better watch out, because Merced students know how to get what they want. (Laughter and applause.)

This type of activism and optimism speaks volumes about the students here, the faculty, the staff, but also about the character and history of Merced -- a town built by laborers and immigrants from all over the world: early settlers who came here as pioneers and trailblazers in the late 1800s as part of the Gold Rush and built the churches and businesses and schools that exist; African Americans who escaped slavery and the racism of the South to work on the railways as truck drivers up and down Route 99; Mexican Americans who traveled north to find work on the farms and have since become the backbone of our agricultural industry -- (applause); Asian Americans who arrived in San Francisco and have slowly branched out to become a part of the community in the San Joaquin Valley. (Applause.)

Merced's make-up may have changed over the years, but its values and character have not -- long, hot days filled with hard work by generations of men and women of all races who wanted an opportunity to build a better life for their children and their grandchildren; hardworking folks who believed that access to a good education would be their building blocks to a brighter future.

You know, I grew up in one of those communities with similar values. Like Merced, the South Side of Chicago is a community where people struggled financially, but worked hard, looked out for each other and rallied around their children. My father was a blue-collar worker, as you all know. My mother stayed at home to raise me and my brother. We were the first to graduate from college in our immediate family. (Applause.)

I know that many of you out here are also the first in your families to achieve that distinction, as well. (Applause.) And as you know, being the first is often a big responsibility, particularly in a community that, like many others around our country at the moment, is struggling to cope with record high unemployment and foreclosure rates; a community where families are a single paycheck or an emergency room visit away from homelessness.

And with jobs scarce, many of you may be considering leaving town with your diploma in hand. And it wouldn't be unreasonable. For those of you who come from communities facing similar economic hardships, you may also be wondering how you'll build decent lives for yourselves if you choose to return to those communities.

But I would encourage you to call upon the same hope and hard work that brought you to this day. Call upon that optimism and tenacity that built the University of California at Merced to invest in the future of Merced in your own home towns all across this country. By using what you have learned here, you can shorten the path perhaps for kids who may not see a path at all.

And I was once one of those kids. Most of you were once one of those kids. I grew up just a few miles from the University of Chicago in my hometown. The university, like most institutions, was a major cultural, economic institution in my neighborhood. My mother even worked as a secretary there for several years.

Yet that university never played a meaningful role in my academic development. The institution made no effort to reach out to me -- a bright and promising student in their midst -- and I had no reason to believe there was a place for me there. Therefore, when it came time for me to apply to college, I never for one second considered the university in my own backyard as a viable option.

And as fate would have it, I ultimately went on and accepted a position in student affairs at the University of Chicago more than a decade later. What I found was that working within the institution gave me the opportunity to express my concerns about how little role the university plays in the life of its neighbors. I wanted desperately to be involved in helping to break down the barriers that existed between the campus and the community.

And in less than a year, through that position, I worked with others to build the university's first Office of Community Service. And today, the office continues to provide students with opportunities to help reshape relationships between the university and its surrounding community. Students there today are volunteering in local elementary schools, serving as mentors at high schools, organizing neighborhood watches, and worshiping in local churches.

But you know a little something about working with your community here, don't you, Merced? UC Merced, its faculty and its students seem to already have a handle on this need and it speaks once again to the character of this community. As I learned more about what you have done, I am so impressed with how the students, faculty and the community are collaborating to ensure that every child in this community understands there is a place for them at this big beautiful university if they study hard and stay out of trouble.

For example, there is Kevin Mitchell, a professor in the School of Natural Science, who studies chaos, of all things. He's coordinating a program to bring physicists into local elementary and high schools to help open the eyes of students to the possibility of careers in science.

Then there is Claudia Zepeda, a junior psychology major, who is mentoring students from her high school here. The first in her family to attend college, Claudia works with the Westside Initiative for Leaders, an organization that helps prepare disadvantaged students for college. And because of her help, 10 students from her high school will attend UC Merced this coming fall. That is amazing. (Applause.)

And then there are local leaders like police officer, Nick Navarette -- (applause) -- who coordinates a program that brings about 60 UC Merced students to local elementary schools each week to mentor students from poorer neighborhoods. Nick then brings kids to campus regularly so that they can do something special; see what it's like to be on a college campus, and begin to dream.

And then there is my friend and former law school professor, Charles Ogletree, a product of the Merced public schools. (Applause.) Now, he is an example of how you can bring your skills back. His ambitions took him far away from home, but he has never forgotten where he came from.

Each year, with his help, Merced's high schools are able to hand out scholarships, not just for the best and the brightest students, but also for many students who are just stuck in poverty and simply need a hand up to compete.

So the faculty, the students, local leaders, Merced alumni, everyone here is doing their part to help the children of Merced realize that access to a quality education is available to them as long as they work hard, study hard and apply themselves.

It is this kind of commitment that we're going to need in this nation to put this country back on a path where every child expects to succeed and where every child has the tools that they need to achieve their dreams. That's what we're aiming for. (Applause.) And we're going to need all of you, graduates, this generation, we need you to lead the way.

Now, let me tell you, careers focused on lifting up our communities -- whether it's helping transform troubled schools or creating after-school programs or training workers for green jobs -- these careers are not always obvious, but today they are necessary. Solutions to our nation's most challenging social problems are not going to come from Washington alone. Real innovation often starts with individuals who apply themselves to solve a problem right in their own community. That's where the best ideas come from.

And some pretty incredible social innovations have been launched by young people all across this world.

Teach for America in this country is a great example. It was created by Wendy Kopp as a part of her undergraduate senior thesis in 1989. And now, as a result of her work then, more than 6,200 corps members are teaching in our country's neediest communities, reaching approximately 400,000 students.

And then there's Van Jones, who recently joined the Obama administration, a special adviser to the President on green jobs. Van started out as a grassroots organizer and became an advocate and a creator of "green collar" jobs -- jobs that are not only good for the environment, but also provide good wages and career advancement for both skilled and unskilled workers; jobs similar to the ones being created right here at UC Merced as this green campus continues to grow.

And then one of my heroes, Geoffrey Canada, grew up in the South Bronx. After graduating from Bowdoin and getting his masters at Harvard, he returned to New York City and used his education to ensure that the next generation would have a chance at the same opportunity. Geoffrey's Harlem Children's Zone is a nationally recognized program that covers 100 blocks and reaches nearly 10,000 children with a variety of social services to ensure that all kids are prepared to get a good education.

And in an effort to invest in and encourage the future Wendy Kopps, Van Joneses and Geoffrey Canadas, the Obama administration recently launched the Office of Social Innovation at the White House. The President has asked Congress to provide $50 million in seed capital to fund great ideas like the ones I just described. The Office is going to identify the most promising, results-oriented non-profit programs and expand their reach throughout the country.

And this university is blessed with some of the leading researchers and academics who are focusing already their attention on solving some of our nation's most critical issues, like the energy crisis, global warming, climate change, and air pollution.

And you, the students, the graduates and faculty on this campus, you're capable of changing the world, that's for sure. Where you are right now is no different from where Wendy and Van and Geoffrey were when they graduated, remember that. You too can have this same transformative effect on the community of Merced and our entire nation. We need your ideas, graduates. We need your resourcefulness. We need your inventiveness.

And as the students who helped build this school, I ask you, make your legacy a lasting one. Dream big, think broadly about your life, and please make giving back to your community a part of that vision. 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. Each and every single day, some young person is out there changing the ways -- the world in ways both big and small.

But let me tell you something, as you step out into that big, open world, and you start building your lives, the truth is that you will face tough times, you will certainly have doubts, let me tell you, because I know I did when I was your age. There will be days when you will worry about whether you're really up for the challenge. Maybe some of you already feel a little of that right now. Maybe you're wondering: Am I smart enough? Do I really belong? Can I live up to all those expectations that everyone has of me?

And you will definitely have your share of setbacks. Count on it. Your best laid plans will be consumed by obstacles. Your excellent ideas will be peppered with flaws. You will be confronted with financial strains as your loans become due and salaries fall short of both expectations and expenses. You will make mistakes that will shatter your confidence. You will make compromises that will test your convictions. You will find that there is rarely a clear and direct path to any of your visions. And you will find that you'll have to readjust again and again and again. And there may be times when you wonder whether it's all worth it. And there may be moments when you just want to quit.

But in those moments, those inevitable moments, I urge you to think about this day. Look around you. Look around you. There are thousands and thousands of hardworking people who have helped you get to this point, people who are celebrating with you today, who are praying for you every single day, and others who couldn't be here, for whatever reason. I want you to think of the people who sacrificed for you -- you know that -- family members who worked a third job to get you through, who took on the extra shifts to get you through, who put off doing something important for themselves to get you to this day.

And think about the friends who never got the chance to go to college but were still invested in your success -- friends who talked you out of dropping out, friends who kept you out of trouble so that you could graduate on time, friends who forced you to study when you wanted to procrastinate. (Laughter.)

Most importantly, though, 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 -- kids in New Orleans whose schools are still recovering from the ravages of Katrina; kids who will never go to school at all because they're forced to work in a sweat shop somewhere; kids in your very own communities who just can't get a break, who don't have anyone in their lives telling them that they're good enough and smart enough to do whatever they can imagine; kids who have lost the ability to dream. These kids are desperate to find someone or something to cling to. They are looking to you for some sign of hope.

So, whenever you get ready to give up, think about all of these people and remember that you are blessed. Remember that you are blessed. Remember that in exchange for those blessings, you must give something back. (Applause.) You must reach back and pull someone up. You must bend down and let someone else stand on your shoulders so that they can see a brighter future.

As advocate and activist Marian Wright Edelman says, "Service is the rent we pay for living...it is the true measure, the only measure of our success." So, graduates, when times get tough and fear sets in, think of those people who paved the way for you and those who are counting on you to pave the way for them. Never let setbacks or fear dictate the course of your life. Hold on to the possibility and push beyond the fear. Hold on to the hope that brought you here today, the hope of laborers and immigrants, settlers and slaves, whose blood and sweat built this community and made it possible for you to sit in these seats.

There are a lot of people in your lives who know a little something about the power of hope. Don't we, parents and grandparents? (Applause.) Look, I know a little something about the power of hope. My husband knows a little something about the power of hope. (Applause.)

You are the hope of Merced and of this nation. And be the realization of our dreams and the hope for the next generation. We believe in you. Thank you so much, and good luck. God bless you all.

Comments

[janie@atthelake]

Great job.......I wondered where she was while the President was watching his daughter at soccer. This is a VERY in touch with the community first family.

[KillBillV2]

First Off, I just came back from UC Merced because my brother was one of the Graduates, so it was exciting, I live in Merced County right now and this visit by Michelle has really brought all the attention over here.

Secondly, I thought her speech was just okay...It wasn't anything special, she kind of kept repeating things she learned about the Valley that she clearly studied up on...But I really don't blame her since the valley is BEYOND boring and is the republican part of the State...I should know, I've lived in the Bay Area and in Los Angeles and San Diego before and the Valley is the dullest part of California..

Thirdly, some people were so RUDE! They kept standing up walking around while she was giving her speech, I found that to be disrespectful.

Did I mention how yucky hot it was?

[amdezurik]

Grats to your brother! I have lived in that area and know how the heat can just bake you :) Hot here in Novato today to

[LaurieAnn]

As someone born and raised in Merced (got to go away to attend university) I am so proud that Michelle Obama honored us with her presence. Yes this is a boring to live, but many of us do make lives here. During the presidential campaign I had one of the first Obama yard signs up and bumper stickers on my car. This may be a republican stronghold, but those of us who do wish for a progressive future for our nation are here and stepping up to the plate. BTW, my husband, a 30 year republican switched to the democratic party so that he could vote for Obama in the Ca. primary.

[Crissy Patters]

I know the strength it took to put up Obama signs in a red state, ours were pulled up at nite. I'm in Texas and it wasn't easy openly supporting Obama. We couldn't discuss the campaign at work in the office. This was the first time talking about politics were prohibited. Our man won, so it was worth it. I hope the economy picks up in Merced and more people will have a reason to stay and come back.

[thankulord13]

You must not go to a lot of these commencement ceremonies. This happens all the time especially when the speakers are in the shade and it is 98 degrees out. This stuff last up to 3 hours. So I am not mad at people for leaving and walking around. I was at the UCLA graduation ceremony a few years back a Michael J. Fox gave the commencement address and people were walking around talking and the like. So this stuff happens all the time.

[Woofer58]

congrats to your bro.

maybe the 'walkers' were hot and needed water or shade...

yeah, it's ugly down here in Fresno today...ugh

[Pupadup4oBama]

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for Michelle and Barack Obama!

[DnDCfromChi-town]

Congratulations to all graduates!!!! This family has created an entirely different standard......... I think it’s an incredible blessing for the President or the First Lady to give a commencement address in these times..... I love the First Family

[MissKaren]

This is quality. This is what quality looks like and sounds like.

[yasmeen]

amen!! for the first time in my adult life, i am proud of my first family.

[debrief]

make that 'really' proud.

[iceage7]

Actually micheele is a better speaker than Barack when giving of the cuff speeches...Seriously. Michelle can speak non stop without a teleprompter. I watched her during the campaign and she spoke flawless without notes. Thats why Barack calls her the closer. Barak also said that michelle does everyting he does but she does it in heels.

[Avembe]

Yep ! indeed that lady is absolutely impressive!!!!!!!!!

[KillBillV2]

I strongly disagree, I've seen President Obama give speeches without a prompter or notes and he is excellent. Michelle had notes with her in case you didn't know and her speech was just okay.

[mcantwell]

The speech she gave at the British all girls school was amazing and truly beyond inspiring. It was a tear jerker to boot.

[courteney]

That's what they just said.She is better at speaking off the cuff with no notes or a teleprompter.She tends to stiffen up when giving prepared speeches,but off the cuff she is amazing.Look up some of her campaign speeches on cspan and youtube.Again though like I said in a earlier post, this is not a competition.They are BOTH great speakers.

[bobfeld]

The GOPERS used to give index cards to Ronnie Raygun when he was talking on the phone to heads of States so he could remember what the suject was.

[wilray]

Barack Obama is the best orator I have ever heard. Curiously though, Michelle was his mentor.

[Crissy Patters]

I find both to be very impressive and I'm sure the last thing they worry about is trying to one up the other.

[Lahonda]

Michelle's "Fear" address, early in the campaign aced it for me. She shows this enormous heart to everyone and I find it warming.

God bless her.

[BasquePirate]

Michelle has class.

[Crissy Patters]

FL's speech was inspirational, but what stood out was her passion for what she was saying. She believes in those who don't believe their future is as bright as it could be, she like her husband gives hope. No wonder, she and her husband click, like she said on the campaign they have the same values.

[AllenFromAtlanta]

Exactly how I felt also. She had such passion for what she was saying and for what she was feeling that I began to feel it also.

Amazing couple the First Lady and POTUS, simply amazing and very real couple.

[kshawNCvoter]

I loved her speech and thank you guys for not putting this in style section.

fail for using the worst pic you could find.

[javaz]

The more I get to know our president and the first lady, the more impressed and inspired I am.

President Obama and Michelle are class acts in every respect - intelligent, and refreshingly genuine people.

What a remarkable difference compared to the last 8 years.

[hidenout]

Socially, maybe, but not politically. Nothing remarkable about that at all.

I'm glad though that the more you get to "know" them, the more impressed you are.

[javaz]

Jealousy is unbecoming, honey.

[debrief]

You prolly not so impressive either.

[ham4114]

What's up with her hair? Weird.

[kshawNCvoter]

unless you are sitting in the bottom of h,e,l,l (gNOp base) and do not understand the concept of wind blowing, your comment is trollish.

[jbrantow]

Must be the same wind current that blew Miss Calif. vest open.

[ham4114]

Oh, so even her hair style is all about politics. Is everything in your life political? Do you see everything that everyone does as an act based on political motivation? Great life you have.

hehehe

[chevyval]

I guess you've never seen really great hair.

[tel8034]

It's called black hair ................ works different from white hair.

[ham4114]

I see. It's a race thing (with you).

[listentome]

Weird is you. She was speaking at a commencement ceremony outside where the wind was blowing. Her entire speech was provided for anyone interested in reading and the video was there for those who didn't want to read. And the only thing you got out of the entire page is that her hair is weird.........GROW UP (GTFU)

[ham4114]

My oh my. So sensitive aren't you. I think you are unbalanced.

[CR46]

Wind. You know the same type of wind that blew Miss cali's unbottoned vest open. And the same wind that blew Levi's sperm up Bristol's skirt.

[reggieb]

bahahahaha You are evil. hahahaha

[ham4114]

In Miss California's case the wind was a good thing since she is an absolute babe. Don't you think? I don't care about Levi's sperm. Why do you?

[Culturemaven]

"You must reach back and pull someone up. You must bend down and let someone else stand on your shoulders so that they can see a brighter future. "

I think those are my favorite lines.

[CR46]

Mine too. So simple yet so full of substance.

[loveobamas]

I love Mrs.Obama remarks,a very inspirational speech.How can anyone not love Michelle she's beautiful,intelligent and kind.

[karela]

A great lady and an inspiring human being. When she talked about set backs and she said that "you'll have to readjust again and again", "your best laid plans will be consumed by obstacles", "You will make compromises that test your convictions", "You will find that there is rarely a clear and direct path to any of your visions". All of those things apply to the job that we have elected her husband to do. Lately, I've noticed that the comment sections here at Huff have been filled with a lot of anger and complaining about the President and the job he's doing. I wish, for all our sakes and for he sake of the country that we could remember that no man on earth could do a hundred percent of what we want this man to do. He wants to do it all and he's doing his best, but realities get in the way. The people who make the laws get in the way. Circumstances get in the way. We gave him a job to do and that job got a whole lot harder late last year when the economy tanked, but he's working hard and he's working smart. He can't give us a hundred percent of what we want. He can only give us all that a very intelligent, honorable, hard working man can achieve. I'm very grateful for the President and his lady.

[1088]

Amen! I pray for him and his family every day!

[balickistan]

an excellent observation. sadly people think that a president is solely responsible for legislation, maybe a lack of civics classes, and their "hope" turns to anger rather quickly. the problems we face now, be it environmentally, economically and socially, will take years to fix.

we need more people to think long term. lets stop thinking instant reward, and think sustainable.

[Pupadup4oBama]

You, Karela, just said it ALL.
I am SO thankful for them both, and their beautiful children.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

I agree with your comment. I have been amazed at the one issue people and the do what I say, when I say it (now), and how I say it people . . . or I am no longer a supporter.

These people act as if the President has been in office a whole term. They act as if the President actually drafts legislation rather than implements it. They act as if their only responsibility is to demand what the President must do or else.

The President has only asked us to stay informed and be Patient. Many can't seem to do those simple things. In his inauguration he said it was time for all of us to grow up, I guess we are all still just growing up, learning patience, throwing off ignorance, and being informed. It is frustrating to see "the left" become as rabidly critical as the right. So much inflexibility!

[Zen0469]

I'm impressed daily how lucky we are to have two high quality human beings as President and First Lady of the United States. The accent is on the positive!

[whatthel]

Top shelf in every aspect.