Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Afro American Newspaper
(Trice Edney Wire) – Michelle Obama will become the second first lady to visit Tuskegee University when she delivers remarks at the Alabama HBCU’s 130th Spring Commencement Ceremony on Sat. May 9.
Mrs. Obama will address approximately 500 graduates as well as their friends, family and members of the university community during the invite-only event, slated to take place 11 a.m. CST in the Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Arena.
According to a White House announcement, Tuskegee was chosen for the honor “because of its legacy as one of America’s top historically Black universities.”
Founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, Tuskegee is listed as one of the top five HBCUs and amongst the top 10 south regional colleges by U.S. News and World Report. The school is also the only higher education institution in the nation designated as a National Historic Site.
Mrs. Obama visit to Tuskegee is the by a first lady since March 29, 1941, when Eleanor Roosevelt visited Tuskegee Institute (now university) and took her historic flight with Tuskegee Airman Charles A. Anderson.
