I have to say that it is one of the great honors of my life to

be able to address this gathering here today.

I want to thank Dr. Wilson for his outstanding leadership,

We have Congressman Cedric Richmond and Sanford Bishop --

And one of my dear friends and a great inspiration to us all --

We have your outstanding Mayor, Mr. Kasim Reed, in the house.

To all the members of the Morehouse family.

And most of all, congratulations to this distinguished group of

I have to say that it's a little hard to follow -- not

Dr. Wilson, but a skinny guy with a funny name.

Betsegaw Tadele -- he's going to be doing something.

I also have to say that you all are going to get wet.

And I'd be out there with you if I could.

But know that I'm there with you in spirit.

Some of you are graduating summa cum laude.

Some of you are graduating magna cum laude.

I know some of you are just graduating, "thank you, Lordy."

That's appropriate because it's a Sunday.

I see some moms and grandmas here, aunts,

in their Sunday best -- although they are upset about their hair

Michelle would not be sitting in the rain.

I want to congratulate all of you -- the parents,

the grandparents, the brothers and sisters,

the family and friends who supported these young men

Just think about it -- your sons, your brothers,

your nephews -- they spent the last four years far from home

and close to Spelman, and yet they are still here today.

Graduates, give a big round of applause to your family

for everything that they've done for you.

I know that some of you had to wait in long lines to get into

And I would apologize, but it did not have anything to

Those graduates just wanted you to know what it's like to

And this time of year brings a different kind of stress --

every senior stopping by Gloster Hall over the past week making

sure your name was actually on the list of students who

If it wasn't on the list, you had to figure out why.

Was it that library book you lent to that trifling roommate

On that last point, I'm going to exercise my power as President

to declare this speech sufficient Crown Forum

credits for any otherwise eligible student to graduate.

Now, graduates, I am humbled to stand here with all of you as an

And as I do, I'm mindful of an old saying: "You can always tell

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President Obama Delivers Morehouse College Commencement Address