INTO News: Michelle Obama shares tips for success with OSU students

‘Success isn’t about how your life looks to others.  It’s about how it feels to you’, said First Lady Michelle Obama, in a recent speech at Oregon State University, home of our INTO OSU centre.  She was addressing 3,500 students and 33,000 guests at a graduation ceremony in OSU’s Reser Stadium in Corvallis.

Michelle Obama – at the invitation of her older brother, Craig Robinson, the Men’s Basketball Head Coach at OSU – said she was honoured to speak at the university because of such achievements as ‘building one of the most sustainable campuses in America’ and ‘cutting-edge research’.

During her speech, Obama shared the insights that she and her brother gained about hard work when they were growing up in a struggling working class family with high expectations.  She continued by noting that life is defined by more than money, and urged graduates to focus on what they have.  ‘Success is not about being impressive.  It means being inspired’, she said.

The First Lady was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate in public health for her work improving health and fighting childhood obesity.  Upon receiving the honor, she reflected on her childhood and career, and urged graduates to stay in touch with family and friends.  She recalled that she never missed a chance to tell her father she loved him before he died from complications of multiple sclerosis.

‘As you’ve all learned from the friends you’ve made and the relationships you’ve formed here at OSU, what truly makes life rich are the people you share it with’, she said.  ‘When I come out here to Corvallis, I am not the First Lady, I am Coach Robinson’s little sister.  I sleep on the pullout couch in their guest room.’

After OSU President Ed Ray adorned her graduation gown with the discipline’s royal blue stole, the First Lady held up her diploma, raised a triumphant fist and said ‘Go Beavers!’.

Watch Oregon State University’s video of the commencement address:

Want to know more about studying at INTO Oregon State University?  Click here.