You know, being president is a big deal. Just have a whole plane for my use, I have a theme song for myself! But the thing I like most is the opportunity to spend time with young people like you. So you know how lucky I am to be here today.

We got a lot of big sized guests in the audience here today. Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam is among us. Let's all applaud him. We also have Senator Bob Corker, Senator Lamar Alexander and Senator Steve Cohen. Even Senator Harold Ford Jr., a native of Memphis, is among us. Also present is Memphis Mayor AC Huarton. I welcome all of them to today's convocation.

I am proud of each of you today. Because, you have come so far with a lot of hard work in the end. I have to thank your teachers for this. They have always thought of educating you as part of their job, not as part of their job. But most of all you should thank your family. Your parents, siblings, relatives, neighbors — everyone contributes to this. Because they trust you.

The convocation ceremony is an occasion of joy. But today's convocation is even more joyous. Because, I know, many people weren't so optimistic about Booker T. Many thought that the students of this institution would never be able to take their place in the fierce competition in the United States. Because, this area is underdeveloped, the roads here are broken, the educational institutions are also broken. In a word, the students here do not get much better facilities. But you have proved that each of you has raised his head and said, 'Yes, we can'. Yes, we can too. We can learn, we can succeed. Not where you came from; Rather, you have proved that where you want to go is your true identity.