GW Secures First Lady Michelle Obama as Keynote Speaker at University's Commencement

GW Community Completes More Than 100,000 Hours of Service Ahead of May 1 Deadline

WASHINGTON, April 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The George Washington University has crossed the 100,000-hour service challenge goal set by First Lady Michelle Obama and has secured her as the keynote Commencement speaker Sunday, May 16 on the National Mall.

"Congratulations to The George Washington University on meeting the 100,000-hour service challenge," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "GW has demonstrated an amazing and ongoing commitment to public service.  I look forward to addressing graduates on May 16. You've earned it!"

Michelle Obama will be the third First Lady in the history of the University to speak at GW's Commencement and will address a crowd of approximately 25,000.

Over the last seven months, more than 3,800 GW students, faculty, staff and members of the Board of Trustees participated in the service challenge.  

"When we received the challenge from the First Lady, we knew there was no question that George Washington University students, faculty and staff would rise to that very exciting opportunity.  But we had no idea we would reach the goal so far in advance of the May 1st deadline," said GW President Steven Knapp.  "Thanks to Mrs. Obama, service became the focus of school spirit for the entire academic year, pulling together the entire university community in a unique way."

Students, faculty and staff completed a variety of service projects, including painting Habitat for Humanity homes with the First Lady in September; giving a make-over to a Washington, D.C. high school on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; and participating in the Alternative Winter and Spring Break Programs.  

"I am extremely proud of our student body and the rest of the GW community for their contributions towards meeting Mrs. Obama's service challenge," said GW Student Association President Julie Bindelglass. "As a representative of GW students, I know that many of us have committed ourselves to making public service part of our daily lives. We are thrilled to host the First Lady at our Commencement!"

This past September, First Lady Michelle Obama challenged the University to complete 100,000 hours of community service, and in exchange, promised to be the University's commencement speaker. Community service hours will be collected until the official service challenge deadline, May 1, 2010.  Total hours achieved during the service challenge will be announced May 16.

SOURCE George Washington University