Michelle Obama’s historic commencement address to JSU is indelibly etched in people’s minds and continues to ring aloud in the ears of graduates, faculty, staff, politicians and other spectators nearly two weeks after she left an audience of 35,000 people spellbound in the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

After laboring for months as the commencement chair, Dr. Marie O’Banner-Jackson has finally gotten a chance to exhale and assess Obama’s appearance.

“She was electrifying,” the associate dean of Undergraduate Studies at JSU said. “I liked her total delivery.” O’Banner-Jackson said a quote by Michelle Obama explaining how President Barack Obama confronts opposition resonated prominently with her: “When they go low, I go high.” It’s a standard that everyone should live by, said O’Banner-Jackson, who also wants people to abide by the exhortation of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

So impressed with the history lesson shared by Mrs. Obama, the associate dean said, “I advised instructors to use the speech as a teaching tool in classes beginning this summer to help students understand their responsibilities as citizens of this great state and nation.” Furthermore, she reminds young people in Mississippi, in particular, “You did not put Barack Obama back into the White House because of your lack of voting.”

O’Banner-Jackson warns against apathy in much the same way she said Mrs. Obama recently addressed a teenage girl in D.C. asking what civil rights icon King would say about everything that’s going on in the world today. O’Banner-Jackson explained that Mrs. Obama said “Dr. King would probably answer it with a simple question – and that is: “Did you vote?”

In addition to the speech being a catharsis, O’Banner-Jackson said the commencement address was like being in church “where tears were generated because of our history and because of where we were and where we need to go.” Of Obama, she said, “I didn’t have to touch her. I didn’t have to have a picture with her – just to be in presence and hear her delivery were enough for me to say thank you, Lord.”

From a graduate’s perspective, Krischell Nelson, 24, said the speech was laced with optimism by urging the audience to “reach for your dreams because you’ll never know what you’re capable of becoming one day. As first lady, Obama is a perfect example of what’s possible,” she said.

A New Orleans native, Nelson received her undergraduate degree on commencement day in childcare and family education through JSUOnline. She said Mrs. Obama touched on every important topic, and her visit shined a spectacular spotlight on Jackson, indicating that she cares about all cities regardless of size and geography.

Nelson said she believes Mrs. Obama will be forever remembered among alums and supporters as the first African-American first lady to speak to JSU graduates and deliver a powerful history lesson about the Magnolia state and JSU’s inception. “Because of the experience of seeing the first lady, I wouldn’t have wanted to graduate with any others except the class of 2016,” she said.

As special media adviser for commencement, Dr. Elayne Hayes Anthony was given a direct line to the White House. She handled intricate details leading up to Mrs. Obama’s visit through daily communications with the White House about protocols, Secret Service functions, media credentials and other special requests.

Anthony, dean of the JSU’s School of Journalism and Media Studies, gave her interpretation of one of Mrs. Obama’s “most compelling statements” during the first lady’s graduation address: “When others think low, we think high.”

The dean said she, too, was enthralled by Mrs. Obama’s history lessons about the state’s racist past and the once-segregated Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, where nearly 800 mostly African-American undergraduates received their diplomas after the first lady’s address. Anthony said she was also pleased that Mrs. Obama touched on current events such as the controversial enactment of House Bill 1523 that many opponents believe will sanction government discrimination against gays and other people on religious and moral grounds.

“Her speech was about 25 minute long, but it was so uplifting,” Anthony said. “You know you have a good message when the person runs over, but you’re not finished listening. … When the first lady finished I was hungry for more because she energized us with so many thoughts by touching on many delicate topics that needed to be addressed. She did it in such a way that it was a learning and enlightening moment.”

Anthony said, “Mrs. Obama’s visit to Jackson State left a lasting, positive mark on this university because we all came together on one accord. We exemplified One JSU. … I saw pride among those in attendance. She brought people from all walks of life together because everyone was buzzing about the White House visit in every corner of this city. I was pleased to see city and county officials, members of the Mississippi Legislature and mayors from other cities. The day will live on in the legacy of Jackson State University for years to come. And, the people who graduated on that day will never, ever forget the first lady’s message.”

JSU student Nicholas Thornton, 20, a junior studying integrated marketing communications in the School of Journalism and Media Studies, said he, too, was moved by the first lady’s speech. He supports her call urging young people to help address problems plaguing communities through voting or risk “our social media movements, whether through Instagram or Twitter, disappearing faster than a Snapchat” as the first lady mused.

Thornton, a native of Newton, also said Mrs. Obama’s visit indicates Mississippi has a lot to offer despite a segregated past.

“I learned a lot from her about the state’s and JSU’s history,” Thornton said. Because of her impact, he said he believes Mrs. Obama would be remembered for her commencement address, energy, “Let’s Move!” campaign, support of military families, as well as the “quality and equality of her relationship with President Obama.”[hr]

Graduate is last of 11 siblings to earn JSU degree

Despite giving birth to a beautiful son while trying to complete her degree, Hannah Hulitt, 22, of Jackson, was determined to make herself and her parents proud by becoming the last of 11 children in her family to graduate from Jackson State University.

She said her mom and dad are ecstatic about her earning her degree in industrial technology and joining her other siblings (eight sisters and three brothers) who are JSU alums.

“My mom and dad didn’t think I was going to graduate,” she said before walking across the stage. “Now, my son will see his mother graduate,” said Hulitt, who played clarinet in JSU’s symphonic band and the Sonic Boom of the South during each of her years as a student.

Her goal is to work in a company plant as an emergency/risk management expert.

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Highlights from 2016 Commencement

Many people hailed the first lady for using her platform to inspire a new generation of leaders. Politicians, community spectators and nearly 800 undergraduate degree recipients heaped praise on Obama.

Here’s a snapshot of various comments before Mrs. Obama delivered her commencement address:

Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson, 2^nd District, compared Mrs. Obama’s visit metaphorically to that of a spectacular star casting a brilliant light over JSU. Thompson said, “This very field (inside the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium) that we are on has hosted a number of stars: (football greats) Steve “Air” McNair, Jerry Rice, Jackie Slater and the great Walter Payton.” While giving supreme adulation to the Sonic Boom of the South, aka “the Summa Cum Laude of Bands,” Thomas still said, in deference to the first lady, that “never had we a star like the one who’s going to perform on this field today. … Of all the places this star could have spoken, she chose Thee I Love … by addressing the 2016 graduating class of Jackson State University.”

Meanwhile, Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber used his time to impress upon Obama the city’s image as an oasis of inclusion. “All are welcome,” he said, “regardless of race, religion, politics, and, yes, sexual orientation – a city that will soon become the place where everyone wants to come and no one wants to leave.”

Alan W. Perry, president of the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, proclaimed that the service and sacrifices of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama “have made us a far better country. We are not nearly what we ought to be, and we are not where I’d hoped and believe what we’re going to be.” Still, he said, their efforts have “moved us forward down the long and difficult road that leads to a more just, equitable and inclusive society.” Perry emphasized the importance of the Obamas’ enduring support for HBCUs, which he credits for advancing higher education in Mississippi.

Another VIP said he’s equally impressed by the Obamas for spreading hope and encouraging aspirations.

JSU alum and state Rep. Rufus Straughter, District 51, said he wanted to hear Mrs. Obama address the importance of HBCUs because “we don’t get the kind of funding that we need to move our agenda as well as we’d like.” He cited the lack of a stadium on JSU’s campus. “We need a stadium on campus so that alumni of this great university get a chance to see what the campus looks like.” Straughter said because games are played at the memorial stadium people often don’t have a reason to visit the main campus after a football game. He predicted that Mrs. Obama would speak about LGBT rights because “inclusiveness is what America is all about.”

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Others offered opinions about first lady’s visit

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  Graduate Ashley Billie, 29, born in Dallas but raised in Philadelphia, Miss., received her degree in childcare and family services: She said seeing Obama was an honor because “the first lady is probably the only one I’ll remember of all my graduation ceremonies that I’ve had before, including high school and community college.”

• Graduate Kenneth Tyler, 21, of Vicksburg, earned his degree in interdisciplinary studies: He said Mrs. Obama’s visit was special, making this “one of the most important days in my life because few people get this chance. I’m even blessed and thankful because not many make it through four years of school.”

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  Graduate David Burns, 49, a native of Vicksburg who recently retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs, received his degree in human resource development. He was waiting to hear Mrs. Obama “offer encouraging words to younger people to inspire them to do greater things in life.” He described the experience of seeing the first lady as “one of the most wonderful things I will have ever witnessed.”

  

• Graduate Brenda Johnson of Clinton, a JSU employee, received her business degree under Lifelong Learning: “Having first lady Michelle Obama here, words just can’t describe it.” She was hopeful that Obama’s speech would remind her “regardless of difficult things you go through, or if you get off on the wrong track, pick up yourself so that you can help others. I married young, but I still didn’t let that stop me. Every time I started taking classes, there was sickness and death. But I kept pushing on.”

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  Graduate Jarius Moore, 20, of Terry, earned his degree in therapeutic recreation in the Department of Education: “I want Mrs. Obama to encourage each person to make a difference in life and further their education and keep striving for greatness.”

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  Graduate Melissa Cooper, a nontraditional student from Jackson: “It meant so much when I learned Mrs. Obama would be coming to Mississippi. When I decided to return to get my education in 2012, she was the first lady and part of my motivation. I tried reaching out to her via Facebook to let her know that. My daughter was enrolled at the same time, and I wanted to show her that if I can do it, she could, too. And she graduates in December.”

• JSU freshman clarinetist Julissa Lopez of Kansas City, Kan., first chair in the JSU symphonic band: “Being able to perform with the band for the first lady is special because not everyone gets this opportunity. We get to show her what we can actually do and how we sound.”

• Spectator Tina Fortenberry, a native of Jackson but now a resident of Los Angeles: “I love the Obamas and Jackson State and what it does for this community and graduates to help make Jackson better. … Our housekeeper (Becky McQuarter) is 80 years old, and she started working for our family when she was 18. I brought her here to see the first lady. I’m trying to help her check off things from her bucket list.”

• Spectator Becky McQuarter, 80, traveling with her employer: “Mrs. Obama is so special. I’d like her to speak on any issue that will help people. There’s so much sadness going on in the world. I have 17 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. I can remember when this area where the stadium is now was nothing but trees, even the site of UMMC (University of Mississippi Medical Center) was nothing but trees.”