Keep Politics Out of UNI Graduation

As of March 25, 2011 it was announced that First Lady Michelle Obama would speak at the University of Northern Iowa's graduation ceremony. This petition is to show the University of Northern Iowa that not everyone is happy about their decision.

A graduation ceremony above all else should highlight and recognize its graduates and their accomplishments. This should be done so without politics getting involved. Not only does having the First Lady come and speak take away from the graduates but it takes away from the families and friends. Now we are limited to the number of guests after many seniors have already sent out their invitations.

UNI President Ben Allen states that "We welcome this opportunity for our students to hear the first lady's inspiring story of how higher education impacted her life and her passion for service."

The point of a graduation is celebrating what the graduates have accomplished in school and what we are going to accomplish when we move on with our own lives. Michelle Obama has no ties to Iowa or to the University of Northern Iowa.

With this petition, we ask the University of Northern Iowa to listen to our concerns.