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In her first commencement address, Michelle Obama urges students at UC-Merced to be Fearless, Dream Big and Give Back
New York, NY
Saturday, May 23, 2009
In her first commencement speech as First Lady, Michelle Obama focused on the need for fearlessness despite the daunting challenges as she told the graduating students of UC Merced, "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."
Jacqueline Wales, author of The Fearless Factor: Living Your Best Life Now (www.thefearlessfactor.com) observed that Michelle Obama related her experiences from the south side Chicago of her youth to the first graduating class at UC Merced, California's smallest, youngest public university, just established in 2005. Many of these students, like her, would be the first in their families to graduate from college, said Wales. Obama focused on the need for fearlessness mixed with gratitude.
Wales also pointed out that Obama urged the students to give back to their communities, telling them "many of you may be considering leaving town with your diploma in hand, and it wouldn't be unreasonable. 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."
In relating why she chose Merced, the First Lady told the students from the heavily agricultural San Joaquin Valley, which has many Asian American and Hispanic immigrant families, "You inspired me. You touched me. You know there are few things more rewarding that to watch young people recognize that they have the power to make their dreams come true. And you did just that." Obama was referring to the thousands of letters and Valentines cards that bombarded her office from students, filled with hope and enthusiasm.
Wales, herself an immigrant from Scotland who was the first in her family to go to college, applauded Michelle Obama's message of hope and inspiration, but especially her appeal to their dreams. "It is so important not to limit your thinking to only the possible. Dream the impossible. That's where, like the students of UC Merced, you'll find the magic."
Jacqueline Wales, author of The Fearless Factor: Living Your Best Life Now (www.thefearlessfactor.com) observed that Michelle Obama related her experiences from the south side Chicago of her youth to the first graduating class at UC Merced, California's smallest, youngest public university, just established in 2005. Many of these students, like her, would be the first in their families to graduate from college, said Wales. Obama focused on the need for fearlessness mixed with gratitude.
Wales also pointed out that Obama urged the students to give back to their communities, telling them "many of you may be considering leaving town with your diploma in hand, and it wouldn't be unreasonable. 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."
In relating why she chose Merced, the First Lady told the students from the heavily agricultural San Joaquin Valley, which has many Asian American and Hispanic immigrant families, "You inspired me. You touched me. You know there are few things more rewarding that to watch young people recognize that they have the power to make their dreams come true. And you did just that." Obama was referring to the thousands of letters and Valentines cards that bombarded her office from students, filled with hope and enthusiasm.
Wales, herself an immigrant from Scotland who was the first in her family to go to college, applauded Michelle Obama's message of hope and inspiration, but especially her appeal to their dreams. "It is so important not to limit your thinking to only the possible. Dream the impossible. That's where, like the students of UC Merced, you'll find the magic."
Jacqueline Wales
Founder
The Fearless Factor
New York, NY
212-740-7085
