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Subscribe to RSSFive years after the campus shootings that killed 32 and wounded 17, First Lady Michelle Obama urged graduating students at Virginia Tech not to let the 2007 violence define their school.
"There will always be folks who judge you based on things that you say or do; folks who define you based on one isolated incident," she told tens of thousands of Hokie graduates at Lane Stadium. "And here at Virginia Tech, I know you all know a thing or two about what that's like. But you also know that, in the end, people can only define you if you let them."
She urged them to stand up for the school's academic and community successes when outsiders focus only on recollections of the tragedy. The graduates in the four-year bachelor's degree program were in the first freshman class to attend the school after the shootings.
The massacre by 23-year-old student Seung-Hui Cho -- who committed suicide after the rampage -- prompted a national conversation about gun laws and mental health.
The first lady said that students should "tune out" those who judge them or their school based on others' perceptions or "superficial things," a struggle that she acknowledged experiencing when she was a high-school student dreaming of an Ivy League education.
"Some of you may have grown up like I did, in neighborhoods where kids, very few of them, had their chance to go to college," she recalled, "where being teased for doing well in school was just a fact of life, where well-meaning but misguided folks questioned whether a girl with my background could get into the kids of colleges I dreamed of attending."
"But I worked hard, and I did my best to tune out those voices of doubt, including those in my own head," she said.
In swing-state Virginia, Mrs. Obama was received warmly by students and their parents, with no notable outbursts or protests. (A smattering of students, however, did not participate in a standing ovation for her before and after her remarks.)
Amid ongoing congressional debate about student-interest loan rates, Mrs. Obama noted that her ailing father proudly paid a "small portion" of her Princeton University tuition, which was otherwise covered by "loans and grants."
"He was so proud to be sending his kids to college," she said. "And he couldn't bear the thought of me or my brother missing that registration deadline because his check was late."
Her main message, in keeping with her various volunteer and community building-oriented projects as First Lady, was one of healing through service.
After her father died, she said, she struggled with "emptiness" until she left her prestigious job at a law firm in favor of a more service-oriented job assisting students.
"Yeah, I took a pay cut, that made my mother cringe," she said. "And my new office wans't nearly as nice as the old one, but with every student I mentored, with every service project I organized, I felt my grief recede just a little bit."
Mrs. Obama was introduced by Virginia Democrat Sen. Mark Warner, who joked that he would take on the First Lady in a sack race - a reference to her "Let's Move" fitness initiative.
"Senator, I accept your challenge," she said to laughter from the audience as she began her remarks. "But you just gotta know, I play to win
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Michelle Obama truly is a national treasure!
What an inspiration this woman is...
Michelle Obama made a great speech on a great topic, "Healing Through Service."
I would guess that Ann Romney would have made a speech called, "The Right to Keep and Bear Arms in your Dorm Room."
Mrs. Obama was introduced by Virginia Democrat Sen. Mark Warner, who joked that he would take on the First Lady in a sack race - a reference to her "Let's Move" fitness initiative.
"Senator, I accept your challenge," she said to laughter from the audience as she began her remarks. "But you just gotta know, I play to win............
..............and she is excelling at it!
Not since JFK's "President's Council on Physical Fitness" has there been anyone more instrumental in the realm of politics to teach children the importance of staying physically fit than Michelle Obama.
Michelle Obama truly is a national treasure!
I couldn't agree more Feisty. She and Barack are BOTH national treasures!
Had Obama been given the full support of the GOP/TP we already would be seeing a more prosperous America. In spite of their obstructionist movement we are moving forward with job creation and civil liberty for all Americans.
By all means, Feisty, let's talk about inspiration today. According to the Roanoke Times, here's some more of what our lovely First Lady said to the graduates:
"And whether you’re celebrating your triumphs or coming together in times of
tragedy, what is clear is that you all didn’t just choose to attend a school, you chose to be part of a community. And that feeling of belonging, those connections to your classmates and professors, I know for so many of you that’s what has made your time here so special.
Now, it’s going to be a little harder when you’re working a job and raising a family, juggling all the responsibilities of being adult. But I promise you that no matter where you wind up, you can create a thriving community of your own if you’re willing to put in the same kind of energy and effort that you invested here at Virginia Tech.
So that means continuing to show up -– but instead of showing up to games and
extracurriculars, it might mean attending those town hall meetings, or going to that school assembly, or those neighborhood picnics. It means reaching out like you did to your classmates here at Virginia Tech -– stopping by to welcome a new neighbor to your block, or bringing over a hot meal for someone who’s going through a hard time. And it means continuing to serve -– volunteering in your local school, cleaning up your local park, doing your part to help others in need.
And that brings me to the second lesson all of you at Virginia Tech have taught us -– and that is the power of service. Service is truly at the core of the Virginia Tech experience. It’s in your motto -– Ut prosim, “That I may serve.” It was your founding purpose as a land grant school designed to open the doors of higher education to people from all walks of life. It’s the mission of your Corps of Cadets, men and women who have served this country in every armed conflict right from the beginning.
And every year, Virginia Tech students do tens of thousands of hours of community service here in Virginia and around the world. I understand this year, through the Relay for Life, you’ve raised more than half a million dollars to fight cancer. (Applause.) And at this year’s Big Event, more than 6,800 people volunteered on 990 different projects. And one of today’s graduates, a young man named Justin Graves, has committed himself to helping at least one person every single day. Way to go. As he put it, and these are his words — Justin said, “Life is all about what you have done for other people.”
Now, contrast that with this inspring message from earlier today from our own JoAnnaSmith1:
"Then they (teachers) should leave. Quit. Do something else. Just where does this sense of entitlement come from? If you're too stupid to understand the job before you take it, you get what you deserve. This is the victim-hood mentality of the Left. This is the entitlement mentality of the Left. The average teacher makes this, the average teacher makes that. If you don't like it, don't be a teacher!!"
I can't believe they didn't invite JoAnna to speak instead.....
Wonderful post JoAnne in PA!
On that note, I'll take my leave today.
I hope everyone enjoys a marvelous weekend and a very special wish to all moms:
HAVE A GREAT AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY THIS SUNDAY!!
Anyone who tries to criticize Michelle Obama is a really depraved person.
She is one of the greatest First Ladies we have had in long time.
annoyedperson - beyond a doubt! She's a great person to have representing our great country!
and now we cannot criticize the first lady without being depraved? now that is precious.
When Hillary Rosen dared to criticize Ann Romney, Republicans screamed to high heaven. How DARE anyone criticize her?
If she's not fair game, then neither is Michelle Obama.
Make up your mind and be prepared to live with that.
A few things are brought to mind... The president and First Lady are truly good role models, so naturally preempt anything Romney can run on. Romney has to be a warmongering wingnut to be to the Right of President Obama's phenomenal record against terrorism and foreign policy in general, now that the president announced his position on gay rights, Romney had to walk back his position so as not to seem too "severe," and then the concept of service...
Service is a big religious belief, including the LDS church. And while I believe Romney's contributions are largely for purposes of tax write-offs and prestige in the church, the Romney's (he and Ann) cannot show an iota of compassion toward the "least among us" lest they alienate the Paul Ryan's of the Teapublican Party and face their wrath in the coming election.
Ummm Anna - It isn't anyone of national recognition dissing Michelle. It is normal people. And from what I've heard and read, she would much rather be back in Chicago.
Michelle Obama truly is a national virus!
What an infection this woman is ...
Most important to remember is, Bo is a dumb a$$ sh!t head, with sh!t for brains. Now, that is a noted fact.
And Job1 licks me in the above mentioned places.
Is that true Job1...do you really?
BoTheDog - how sad you are such a pathetic little man.
Almost as pathetic as Obama's Record.
Last Night, While I was cleaning myself, Master said that If he could do that he wouldn't need Michelle !!!
bothedog Why the hate?
What a suprise - Moochelle wants everyone to serve her.
Bill Clinton is correct . . .
Obama is Incompentent and an Amatuer.
My cousin goes to Virginia Tech and it is a great school. I think the First Lady gave them some good advice about not letting violence define them.
Lisa, just curious...was your cousin thinking about letting violence define him or her? BTW, she's about 4 years too late, most if not all the students that were at the school during this tragedy are long gone.
Lisa -
I doubt that JFK-2112 was there for the speech or bothered to read it online, but here's some more of what she said that might make it clearer for him/her:
"But the truth is, graduates, there will always be folks who make assumptions about you based on superficial things like where you’re from, or what you’re wearing, or how you look. There will always be folks who judge you based on just one thing that you say or do; folks who define you based on one isolated incident. And here at Virginia Tech, I know you all know a thing or two about what that’s like.
But you also know that in the end, people can only define you if you let them. In the end, it’s up to each of us to define ourselves. It’s up to each of us to invent our own future with the choices we make and the actions we take. That’s why Norris Hall is now the home of the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, and West Ambler Johnston Hall will soon be reopened as a new residential college. That is why this year, on April 16th, you started attending class again, choosing to honor their lives by moving forward with your own.
And that is why, when you all are out there in the world and you meet someone and you tell them that you’re from Virginia Tech, and they say, “Huh, isn’t that the school where” — I want you to interrupt them right there and say, “Yes, it is the school where we have some of the best academic programs and professors in the country.” That’s what you tell them. (Applause.) You tell them, “Yes, it is the school where students are passionate about serving their country and supporting each other. And by the way, which also has the best campus food you’ll ever eat.” (Applause.) Who can say that?
You tell them, “Yes, it’s the school where we produce graduates who are leaders in their industries, and pillars of their communities, and who carry their Hokie pride with them every day for the rest of their lives.” You say, “Yes, that is the school I attend. That is Virginia Tech.”
http://blogs.roanoke.com/roundtable/2012/05/michelle-obamas-speech-at-virginia-tech-commencement/
I'm glad JFK thinks four years is enough to make what happened there irrelevant to those attending school there now. Best of luck to your cousin.
JoAnne, its a stupid comment. I was at the Pentagon on 9/11...oh crap, maybe I should start worrying how what happened on that day will define me!!!
JFK-2112 - Don't know what actually "defines" you but something has made you a hate-filled person.
For those attending Virginia Tech now and for decades to come, there will be comments from those who remember the killings that day. Michelle Obama gave a great way to turn those into pluses and pride for the school. Anyone who has a problem with that - well - they just have a problem with everything!
What a suprise - Moochelle wants everyone to serve her !!!
bothedog Why the hate? Is hate a right wing virtue?
Michelle Obama says that there will always be people who judge you based on what you say or do - well now, imagine that.
It seems some folks find her an inspiration, and fair enough.
Allow me to be similarly inspirational - folks, the sun will come up tomorrow, and if you only have the courage and vision to look to the east, you will find the sun there when it comes up.
It is truly a sad environment when something that obvious - that you will be judged by what you say and do - is considered "inspirational"