Obama tells grads in Miami: ‘Pursue success. Do not falter.’

Obama: Immigration reform now

President Barack Obama’s speech at Miami Dade College:

7:17 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Miami Dade! (Applause.) Thank you. (Applause.) Please, everyone, be seated.

Hafeeza, thank you for that wonderful introduction. (Applause.) To Dr. Padrón, Dr. Vicente, to the board of trustees, the faculty, parents, family, friends, and, most important, the class of 2011, congratulations — (applause) — congratulations on reaching this day.

And thank you for allowing me the profound honor of being a part of it. And thank you for my first honorary associate degree. (Laughter.) One of the perks of this job is that degrees come free these days. (Laughter.) Not that it impresses anybody at home. Now Michelle just says, “Hey, Doctor, go take that dog for a walk.” (Laughter.)

It is such a thrill to be at one of the largest, most diverse institutions of higher learning in America — one that just this week was named one of the top community colleges in the nation. (Applause.) More than 170,000 students study across your eight campuses. You come from 181 countries, represented by the flags that just marched across this stage. You speak 94 languages. About 90 percent of you are minorities. And because more than 90 percent of you find a job in your field of study, it’s fitting that your motto is “Opportunity changes everything.” … Read more

Florida Latin Connection/Arnoldo Varona, Editor

Obama tells grads in Miami: ‘Pursue success. Do not falter.’