First lady Jill Biden got three standing ovations at the packed Greek Theatre on Tuesday, June 7, teasing, laughing and at times seeming near tears as she told the 2022 graduates of Los Angeles City College “never forget your past.”
To loud applause she asked the crowd, which included 1,274 graduates, “How many of you grads are moms and dads?” and urged students to believe that “you are stronger than you ever dreamed.”
The first lady was introduced by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who told the students, “I’ve cried five times” listening to stories of graduates who overcame hurdles in life to graduate from community college. He praised the first lady as “someone who is a source of renewable energy.”
First Lady Jill Biden applauds for arriving graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden delivers the keynote address to graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theatre. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles City College Graduates, under the watchful eye of secret service, arrive at the Greek Theatre where First Lady Jill Biden delivered the keynote address June 7, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden delivers the keynote address to graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theatre. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Graduates of the Los Angeles City College arrive at the Greek Theatre where First Lady Jill Biden delivered the keynote address June 7, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden delivers the keynote address to graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theatre. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden delivers the keynote address to graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden delivers the keynote address to graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden delivers the keynote address to graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dr. Mary Gallagher, president of LACC, First Lady Jill Biden and Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles mayor, watch arriving graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden waves to graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dr. Mary Gallagher, president of LACC and First Lady Jill Biden and watch arriving graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theatre. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden waves to arriving graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden delivers the keynote address to graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden delivers the keynote address to graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden and Dr. Mary Gallagher, president of LACC watch arriving graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dr. Mary Gallagher, president of LACC and First Lady Jill Biden and watch arriving graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theater. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
First Lady Jill Biden waves to arriving graduates of the Los Angeles City College, LACC, June 7, 2022. Commencement ceremonies took place at the Greek Theatre. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
In perhaps the most memorable moment, Dr. Biden looked out at the crowd and asked, “So, where are you from?”
When a few students called out their hometowns, she laughed heartily and responded that what she meant was “What was your journey?”
She cited one graduate in the audience who was 46 years old and lost her job as a graphic designer during the pandemic. “So she enrolled at LACC to become a teacher” — to which the crowd awarded loud applause. “We need good teachers!” the first lady called out.
U.S. Marine Steve Kim
She turned her attention to another LACC student, U.S. Marine Steve Kim, who struggled with PTSD and enrolled at LACC, where he got help transitioning into student life. “I hope you know we are all cheering you on” she told Kim, who stood tall and beamed at the first lady.
She took a moment next to offer a shout-out to veterans and military service people and their families, too.
“You astonish me with your grit and your determination and that is why I love community college …That is why I love teaching community college,” she said — to more cheers from the audience.
The graduates spanned the generations, from a 16-year-old high school student in the dual-enrollment program to a 69-year-old man who graduated with honors.
The longtime educator also declared that “we need more teachers” and urged students to consider the education field.
Nearing the end of her vibrant speech, Dr. Biden said she believes, “Never forget where you came from — it doesn’t have to define you, but it will always have something to teach you. … Never forget what made you who you are, and then you will be ready for wherever you choose to go next.”
