U.S. first lady Michelle Obama answers questions as she meets with children of Executive Office employees in the East Room on April 26, 2012 in Washington, DC, during the White House's annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT)
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Many details concerning Michelle Obama and Mark Warner’s appearance at this year’s commencement ceremony have not been determined, so the university is encouraging families to check the webpage consistently for updates.
“We don’t have the specific instructions from the White House and the Secret Service,” said Mark Owczarski, university spokesman. “They have yet to send their advanced
team to provide counsel and advice.”
However, the university does have a few assumptions as to what they may be.
According to Owczarski, there will probably be wand metal detectors for guests coming in, as well as restrictions in parking areas and road access. What those restrictions will be, or how those will look like, have yet to be determined.
Due to this, families are encouraged to travel the night before to avoid any potential traffic with the arrival of the first lady and Senator Warner.
“We’re working with the White House, state police and local enforcement to figure out what specifically it’s going to look like and what specific aspects and elements will be affected, so that we can convey that to graduating seniors, family, and so on,” Owczarski said.
To keep families informed, the commencement website, which can be found on the VT home webpage, provides updates and tips for the ceremony. For example, families are encouraged to arrive early and leave large packages, such as gifts, behind to save space for more seating.
Because of the popularity of the two commencement speakers, more people are expected to attend the ceremony, which creates a concern for seating.
Like previous ceremonies, it will be open to the general public and there is usually a turn out of 20,000 people. This year, however, that number is expected to rise. Seating shouldn’t be an issue, though, as Lane Stadium seats more than 60,000 people.
“I don’t think it’s the case of people being turned away because it’s a sell out,” Owczarski said. “It’ll be more crowded we believe, but we don’t really have a way of knowing that until the day of.”
There is also the possibility of there being a different entrance for families and the general public. Those details have not been set yet, but the idea would be to keep groups together.
Brittany Gilligan, a senior biology major, is not concerned about any special problems with seating due to the special speakers.
“Virginia Tech is a large university anyways, so I figured there would be problems with seating already,” Gilligan said.
Lane Stadium will be open four hours in advance, so the public can find seating.
A version of this article appeared in the May 2 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 27 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
Who the heck is Mike Warner??? I think you mean MARK Warner. Priscilla, how hard is it to actually edit your articles??? Well at least get the names right (and come on you should know the senators name). The CT is the most pathetic newspaper out there...I am sure my comment will be removed soon.
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I am not one to usually be picky about editing, but since you want to be, it should be "senator's" not "senators" in your comment.
And in response, I think the CT does a great job for a college newspaper. The point of this article was to inform about the potential restrictions and changes for graduation this year due to the high-profile speakers and that was accomplished. The CT provided important information as a newspaper should!
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no, anon above has a point. his name is even in the title, please get it right in the article, and if you didn't editing should catch ig
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Nothing embodies the Tech student population like a wealthy, female, black, liberal. Individually, all of those characteristics are the clear majority at Tech. Add them together, and you get a super majority!
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Someone is very bitter.
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Not bitter at all. I'm not even graduating. I just figured it would make sense to have someone students can relate to give the address.
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Yes, because so many unaccomplished people are giving commencement addresses elsewhere.
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We understand why you can't relate to her. She is brilliant and you are, admittedly, average. You should have lobbied harder for your chosen speaker candidate; Joe the Plumber.
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Brilliant response. Thank you!
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You're right. They should have gone with the poor, misogynist, racist, conservative.
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At least the whole thing wouldn't be someone just blowing sunshine up Virginia Tech's asses for the upcoming election.
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Michelle Obama was not invited to speak at VT commencement. The White House called and informed them that she would addressing the graduates, after VT had already invited/announced Sen Mark Warner as speaker. VT was manipulated- it's politics and Virginia is in play.
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You caught 'em! I'm going to call you "Detective Sue"
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Infantile
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Wow. Where'd you read that, Sue? Faux Noise?
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Are you kidding me? This is a political event. Connect the dots and see that she is trying to rally young voters and their parents to vote for her husband's reelection.
It's not that hard to figure -- VT has the largest full-time undergrad population in Virginia, young voters tend to vote Democrat, their parents will all be present, and Virginia is a swing state.
She's doing something smart politically, but come on. This is so tainted with partisan politicking that I laughed when I heard she was coming. This is not Virginia Tech's fault at all, it's just that the FLOTUS wants to speak at commencement, and out of courtesy VT obliged.
Hopefully future spouses of the President will have a bit more class next graduation.
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Are you kidding me? This is a political event. Connect the dots and see that she is trying to rally young voters and their parents to vote for her husband's reelection.
It's not that hard to figure -- VT has the largest full-time undergrad population in Virginia, young voters tend to vote Democrat, their parents will all be present, and Virginia is a swing state.
She's doing something smart politically, but come on. This is so tainted with partisan politicking that I laughed when I heard she was coming. This is not Virginia Tech's fault at all, it's just that the FLOTUS wants to speak at commencement, and out of courtesy VT obliged.
Hopefully future spouses of the President will have a bit more class next graduation.
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Are you sure the CIA and the Muslim Brotherhood aren't behind this?
All of you "oooh, this is a state-in-play, so graduation speakers are all politically chosen" conspiracists make me laugh. As if a graduation speech is so persuasive.
1 in 3 eligible college students vote. And probably none of them contribute to campaigns. Any election "return" expected from speaking at a graduation is laughable. Any political campaign could make 10 times more money with a paid event. And six months before the election, time is money.
No wonder Republican voters are so simple they're still snowed by the whole "trickle-down" economic theory. Hey, I have some Lehman Brothers shares I'll sell to you cheap.
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If I were a student graduating this year, I would boycott the commencement and let Michelle speak to a bunch of empty seats rather than be part of her campaign photo op. Many alumni are really upset about contributing to scholarships and grants to a university that has become part of the new socialist state's political arm. I'm afraid this is going to create some really bad long term effects for the university, but that doesn't seem to be important to those in charge.
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Hahahaha, isn't that CUTE! You think that people will believe you speak for the majority and that you or someone you know contributes to the University (wouldn't that make them socialists?).
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So what if she is a political hack playing a game? I'm sure that's not the lesson she will try to teach the students but it is one they all need to learn. At least they will get to watch the game in action.
Mrs. Obama and her husband are like old south overseers running a modern plantation. They are from a much higher class than almost all of the whites who fawn over them in a pathetic display of "Look at me. I'm so tolerant because I worsip Black people from a distance! I'll make up an excuse for why I don't live around large numbers of them!"
Do you think they don't know that huge numbers of white Liberals think the very racist thought: "If Black people can succeed, then I can too?"
That means that all they have to do is promise universal health care and an end to wars over seas, to get the white Democrat vote.
Game, set and match!
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Thank you for your comment Senator Helms. Now please retire to your racist grave.
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