This is the letter that I wrote to First Lady Michelle Obama as one of the campus staffers in the extremely successful Dear Michelle Campaign that organized a movement to recruit the First Lady to speak at the Class of 2009 Commencement Ceremony as the key-note speaker.   

Dear First Lady Michelle,  

My name is Rodney Nickens and I am a Senior American History major at the University of California, Merced, the newest UC campus in the system, and the first American research university built in the 21^st century.  When I first saw your husband President Barack Obama speak at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 for Senator John Kerry I was immediately inspired, but when he announced that he was running for President in 2007 and you and your family began campaigning across the country not only did I take notice to his incredible vision for our country but also to your incredible life story and vision as well.   

It was this inspiration that led a group of dedicated students to establish the UC Merced Students for Barack Obama chapter on campus and to begin organizing on behalf of President Obama, when he was a long shot from even winning the Democratic nomination. When it was announced that he had won the nomination, I could not believe that our hard work really paid off and that we had a hand in helping the first African-American candidate for president win the Democratic nomination against one of the most established and well-known politicians in the country.    

On November 4, 2008, when it was announced that he would win the general election I experienced a feeling that I had never felt in my life before.  That moment touched my spirit in a way that no election has ever been able to do.   I truly believe that now change has finally come to our country and that because of this historic election, our country will once again move into the right direction and finally make good on the promise of this great nation.   

This is why it would be the most amazing honor if you would deliver the keynote address at our Commencement Ceremony on May 16, 2009 at 7PM.  You and your family inspire me beyond belief and our campus was established to inspire the residents of California’s San Joaquin Central Valley.  This region has long suffered from so many social and economic ills and these tough economic times that we are facing across the country have especially hit the many socially and economically disadvantaged communities across this impoverished region. 

I know that you have so many demands on your time as you progress into your role as the First Lady of the United States. I applaud you for all that you are doing to improve our nation and our world.  I recognize that we are facing such a dire crisis both here at home and abroad.  However, if it is at all possible, it would mean more than words could describe if you could find the time in your incredibly busy schedule to deliver the commencement keynote address at our historic commencement ceremony this May.   

Sincerely,  

Rodney K. Nickens Jr.

Class of 2009

University of California, Merced

I still can't believe that this is happening.  This is a testament to the power of belief.  If you truly want something in life then you have to go for it.  Anything is possible! 

RKNJ