President Barack Obama will give the commencement address at UC Irvine after thousands of students, staff, faculty and alumni requested his appearance, the White House announced Thursday.
Obama’s address will commemorate the 50th anniversary of UC Irvine’s founding. Fifty years ago, former president Lyndon B. Johnson helped dedicate UC Irvine’s groundbreaking.
“We are thrilled that the president has accepted our invitation to deliver the keynote address at our commencement exercises this June,” said UC Irvine Chancellor Michael V. Drake in a statement. “We are proud of the progress we have made during our first half-century, and are looking forward to even greater achievements in the years to come.”
Drake sent a letter in April of last year requesting Obama’s presence. Members of UC Irvine’s campus also sent about 10,000 postcards and a student video to Obama asking him to give their 2014 commencement address, which will take place at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium on June 14.
“I’m thrilled – for UC Irvine and the University of California system – that President Obama will speak at the June commencement celebrating the 50thanniversary of groundbreaking for the Irvine campus,” said UC President Janet Napolitano in a statement. “The UC Irvine community – students, faculty, staff, trustees and alumni – deserve all of the credit for making this happen.”
Compiled by Kristen Taketa, Bruin senior staff.