Blogs:

President Obama will be hosted by the Florida based Miami Dade College. He will be one of the speakers during the 2011graduation. There is no information provided by the Miami Dade press release on how they managed to get the top country official to preside over the graduation.

The college however states that in America, it is one of the largest higher education facilities and their student body is made of 180 countries. So, how exactly does a university or college get our country’s president to speak at their graduation?

Here are a few possible ways by which schools can actually get our President to preside –
Schools can call the White House Director at least a year in advance to schedule the President’s visit. In the spring of 2010, this method was successful for the University of Michigan.

Following up with their initial contact, this university was highly persistent with their efforts as student groups continued to send a number of letters and formal invitations for a period of time. You can contact the Press Office or the Switchboard at the White House for details. Alternately, schools can also send an email to the White House.

Miami Dade College’s notable reputation could have been a convincing factor that spurred the White House to accept their invitation. If we remember, Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have also spoken at the college’s ceremonies.

According to the press release, Miami Dade College graduates the maximum number of minorities as compared to any other colleges. This college also hosts the annual Miami Film Festival and has at least eight campuses in South Florida.

Schools that contact the White House must therefore be ready to list out any significant characteristics that make them better than the others. Challenge the President to give the graduation speech and explain his philosophies or list out ways in which your school works towards supporting items in the President’s platform.

If your school has any significant powerful contact, then the task is easier. For example, find out if any of your old students are a part of the President’s campaign. Find out also if any of your old students have had interactions with the White House in the past during his office term. They may have developed contacts inside which can be used.

This method in fact worked very well with President Clinton for the West Virginia University in the year 2010. Did you know that high schools can also apply for a Presidential visit? Well, they do though most do not know about this.

Applications will be scrutinized and one high school will be chosen among six finalists chosen by a committee. Finalists will be listed on the White House website from where the top three will be chosen by citizens through votes. The 2011 winner will be picked by the President himself.

If you are a student and want our President or past President to visit your school and give a speech in 2012, then it is time to approach your principal or dean at the earliest and set the process in motion.