Michelle Obama to Dillard Graduates: Stay Hungry
Michelle Obama served as the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony New Orleans' Dillard University on Saturday where she urged graduates to "stay hungry."
The First Lady of the United States stood before 226 graduates at the historically black college congratulating them, but also, encouraging them to continue to pursue education in order to inspire "the next generation of geniuses." Obama told the graduates that they have had opportunities and skills that their parents and grandparents never could have imagined, but the First Lady noted that the young scholars should not yet be satisfied.
"So graduates, I hope that you understand that this day is not just the culmination of your own dreams, but the realization of the dreams of so many who came before you," she said during the speech, according to the White House. "And you should be proud, and so happy, and so excited about your futures. But you shouldn't be satisfied. See, because while it is a wonderful thing that all of you are here today, we have to ask ourselves, what about all those geniuses who never get this chance?"
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Obama went on to urge Dillard graduates to help on another and "pay back the debt" with sacrifices and investments for the next generation. Moreover, Obama cited people all over the world who risk their lives for education before she reminded the graduates that "education is still the key to real and lasting freedom."
Among her closing statements, the First Lady encouraged Dillard 2014 graduates to start small in trying to help the next generation, such as through volunteering as a tutor or by rallying their communities to start a mentor program. Nevertheless, Obama also encouraged larger contributions such as serving on a school board, on Congress, or even as President.
In addition to the commencement address, Obama also has received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Dillard University. For the First Lady's full remarks, visit here.
