TUSKEGEE, Ala. — First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama will deliver remarks at Tuskegee University’s commencement on May 9th as part of the White House’s Reach Higher initiative.
In its announcement of the visit, the White House said Tuskegee University was chosen because its legacy as one of America’s top historically black universities.
According to its website, the Reach Higher initiative seeks to “inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.”
The First Lady will visit two other schools, Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Preparatory High School in Chicago, which each won the opportunity through a video contest. Nearly 200 videos were submitted in the contest.
Founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, Tuskegee University is the only black college to be designated a National Historic Site, and is one of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country. The famed Tuskegee Airmen were trained and educated at the University, and the first African American 4-star general, General Daniel “Chappie” James, was an alumnus.
The event will only be attended by ticketed graduates, their families, and guests, but will be livestreamed on www.tuskegee.edu/live.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
