Corvallis Prepares for First Lady
June 16, 2012, 4:28 pm
33,000 guests are expected to show for Oregon State University's 3,472 graduates and one First Lady. The commencement ceremony will take place Sunday at 3:30 PM in Reser Stadium. Michelle Obama's brother in-law and head basketball coach at OSU Craig Robinson was all smiles when asked about his sister's arrival.
"It's really nice to see how excited Oregon State,
Corvallis and the state of Oregon are about her visit," Robinson said.
"That's a good feeling, as a big brother, to know so many people have
warm feelings for your sister coming to town."
A spokesmen for the university say's they are preparing as though this event is a big football game. A Secret Service detail will accompany Michelle Obama at all times while in Corvallis to make a speech, and have been on campus all week to help with security planning. This crowd is the largest ever expected for an OSU commencement, leaving organizers to make changes. Oregon State Police, Corvallis Police Department, Reserve deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, cadets from
the Oregon State Police, professional flaggers will aide in traffic and parking. Security will be stiff as expected. Every guest will undergo what the university is calling "airport-style security" that consists of metal detectors, and bag searches. The doors at Reser will open at noon, organizers ask that you show up early to avoid last-minute crowds.