Last year, neither President Obama nor the First Lady addressed any HBCU graduating class. Their presence was missed and followed by criticism from those close to the HBCU community.
It was confirmed that Morehouse College was at least one of two HBCU’s making early requests for the prestigious address. Instead, the President’s 2009 Commencement addresses were delivered to the graduating classes of Notre Dame and Arizona State.
Students of the 105 Historically Black Colleges and University’s helped solidify the 2008 black vote of 95 to 97 percent for then Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama.
Political Scientist Ron Walters calls this graduating class, the Obama generation. He says, “It is a very interesting political move for them to remind this generation they need to show up at the polls. So they did not want to loose touch with them. And, one of the ways they can do that, is to do exactly what they are doing.”
Robert Gibbs Presidential spokesman said at the White House this week, “The President and the First Lady are not going to be able to do every college or university every year. There will be a small number for the President and First Lady each year, for him to talk about a whole host of different topics.”
White House officials delivered a written statement on HBCU’s to include this paragraph, “HBCUs are also critical to the President’s goal of achieving the highest percentage of college graduates in the world by the year 2020. As part of the effort to achieve this goal, HBUCs will receive $850 million over the next 10 years as a result of the recently passed Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. Combined with the $150 million provided to Predominately Black Institutions, $1 billion has been authorized by this Act to serve institutions with predominately African American student populations.
Obama Administration HBCU Commencement Schedule*
Saturday, May 1st
• John Wilson, Executive Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs - Wilberforce University
Saturday, May 8th
• First Lady Michelle Obama - University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
• Education Secretary Arne Duncan - Xavier University
• NASA Administrator Charles Bolden - Huston-Tillotson University
• Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes - Virginia Union University
• John Wilson, Executive Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs - Wiley College
May 9th
• President Barack Obama - Hampton University
May 11th
• John Wilson, Executive Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs - Harris-Stowe State University
May 15th
• Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett - Morgan State University
May 16th
• Defense Secretary Robert Gates - Morehouse College
• Ambassador Susan Rice - Spellman College