Obama administration talks up importance of HBCUs

On the heels of proposals to merge public historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Georgia and Mississippi, the White House has reasserted its position that HBCUs are critical to the nation’s future.

This month, Obama administration officials are visiting 11 HBCUs to deliver commencement addresses. The appearances follow the recent passage of a new multimillion federal spending package for HBCUs. The funds, proposed by the White House and approved by Congress, include a boost in Title III money, Strengthening HBCUs program, Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institution program, HBCU Capital Financing Program, and other grants.

On Sunday, U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to the graduating class of Hampton University.

“Just as your education can fortify you, it can also fortify our nation, as a whole,” the president said. “More and more, America’s economic preeminence, our ability to outcompete other countries, will be shaped not just in our boardrooms and on our factory floors, but in our classrooms, our schools, and at universities like Hampton; by how well all of us, and especially us parents, educate our sons and daughters.”

First Lady Michelle Obama sent off the graduates of University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff on Saturday. She urged her young listeners to preserve through the tough challenges that awaited them.

“Suddenly, you're facing a future of debt in the form of tens of thousands of dollars of student loans - and you've got to find a job that will start paying the bills before the bill collectors come knocking,” Mrs. Obama stated. “I know the feeling. It wasn't that long ago that my husband and I were still paying off our own loans.”

Earlier this year, the Obama administration worked with Congress to pass an increase in the Pell Grant maximum award in order to help financially needy students. In 2011, students attending HBCUs will receive about $900 million in Pell Grants, an increase of nearly $400 million since the Administration took office.

Other officials participating in graduation ceremonies include Secretary Robert Gates, Department of Defense (Morehouse College), Secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Education (Xavier University), Administrator Charles Bolden, NASA (Huston-Tillotson University), Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President (Morgan State University), Melody Barnes, Director, White House Domestic Policy Council (Virginia Union University), and Ambassador Susan Rice, United Nations (Spelman College). In addition, John Wilson, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, is scheduled to speak to Wilberforce University, Wiley College, and Harris-Stowe State University.