Michelle obama michael smith
Michael lavaughn robinson!
Dreams from My Mater
At the time of Barack Obama’s last Columbia graduation, Ronald Reagan was president, Harold Washington had just become the first black mayor of Chicago, and the gates at 116th Street and Broadway were wide open.
On Low Plaza, Obama’s all-male class, the last in College history, watched as philosopher Mortimer Adler ’28GSAS received an honorary degree, six decades after failing to get his BA because he didn’t pass the swimming test.
Fast-forward twenty-nine years, to May 14, 2012.
The iron gates were locked and blockaded by three garbage trucks. Campus buildings were evacuated and sealed.
Obama college friend
Magnetometers and Secret Service agents were everywhere. And on South Lawn, under a white tent, thousands waited to hear Obama speak as president of the United States.
Obama’s Commencement address to the Barnard College Class of 2012 had been much gossiped about.
An official White House statement said that “as the father of two daughters, President Obama wanted to spea