Portland observer., June 20, 2012, Page 7, Image 7

jdortlanò (Observer
June 20, 2012
Page 7
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Michelle Obama holds the honorary degree she received from Oregon State University in Corvallis on
Sunday. The first lady was the commencement speaker at OSU where her brother is the head
basketball coach. (AP photo)
Michelle Obama Tells
Grads to Follow Passions
check, Obama said, urging graduates to focus
on what they have rather than what they lack.
Obama also advised graduates to keep in
close touch with the family and friends who
(AP) — Drawing on memories of her child­ are important to them, saying she never missed
hood and early career, Michelle Obama told a chance to tell her father she loved him before
Oregon State University graduates Sunday to he died from complications of multiple sclero­
live life for themselves, not for anyone else.
sis. She fought tears as she recalled her mother's
The first lady spoke at the invitation of her assurances that her father was proud to be her
older brother Craig Robinson, the head men's dad.
basketball coach at Oregon State. The siblings
"Liking them on Facebook doesn't count,"
grew up in a working class family with high she said. "Nor does following then on Twitter.
expectations, and both chased successful and What counts is making the time to be there in
lucrative careers — Robinson in finance, person."
Obama in a prominent law firm.
Obama's stop in Oregon was also a chance
"We still had all the traditional markers of for her to catch up with family and meet a new
success with a fat paychedk, the fancy office, nephew. Aaron Robinson was born four months
the impressive lines on our resumes," the first ago to Robinson and his wife.
lady told a crowd of about 30,000, including
Robinson said he was surprised, but pleased,
5,000 graduates. "But the truth is, neither of us to see excitement on campus after the univer­
was all that fulfilled."
sity announced the commencement speaker.
"I was living the dream, but it wasn't my
"It's exciting, as her brother, to be able to hear
dream," Obama said. "Craig felt the same her doing such a good job for our country,"
way, unbeknownst to me."
Robinson told reporters before Obama spoke.
Eventually, both left their lucrative jobs for
Obama was awarded an honorary doctorate
other passions. Obama went to work for the in public health for her work as first lady on
Chicago mayor, Robinson to coach basketball. fighting childhood obesity and improving health.
"Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if She held up the diploma and mouthed, "Go
it feels like your own," Obama said.
Beavs," a rallying cry for Oregon State Bea­
A rich life is defined by more than a pay­ vers' athletics.
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First lady speaks at
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