Faculty and students and its a real pleasure to be here today. At the finish line of what has been a terrific project for much of the last three years here at the Miller Center. Our first year of project. Were now one yore and one week into President Trumps administration. And we started planning this effort in the spring of 2015 shortly after i arrived at the center but it really came from the Miller Center itself. There was a real question when i came in as the new director here about how we think about the upcoming three years with president ial election looming almost two years out from when i had arrived. And how we thought about taking the extraordinary assetses that we built here over the years at the Miller Center. Our own scholars and practitioners and Current Administration people at the time and future Administration People thats what the Miller Center is. And after several weeks of planning, we came back with this idea got the support of our governing counsel and started to
[applause] senator harris ok. All right. Its good to be home. Its good to be home. Bisons. S, president frederick, members of the board, distinguished faculty, thank you for this incredible honor. And to the class of 2017, congratulations. [applause] and to youris families and friends who encouraged you and help you up, thank you for all you did. Lets hear it for them. [applause] senator harris ive had the honor of speaking at many commencements, but this one is particularly special for me because decades ago, i sat just thed use it now, feeling embrace of our Howard Family, as family at its best shares common values and aspirations, a family shares hardships and a connected history. A family looks for ways to support and inspire one another. A youngly includes woman who worked her way through as al and is graduating published poet. [applause] family harris our includes the fourth Rhodes Scholar and howard history. [applause] senator harris it includes a woman who got elected to an Adv
And to our 330 Starbucks College Achievement graduates, so proud of you. Those who have benefited from the starbucks and asu partnership. Im incredibly proud to be your partner, congratulations to all of you. [applause] i would like to begin my time with you today by sharing a personal story. Last year, Starbucks Coffee Company Opened our first store in south africa in johannesburg. , i had never been to south africa before. I did not know what to expect. Certainly could not be prepared for the level of poverty and what i saw in the townships throughout the city. We opened 2 stores and lines were out the door in anticipation of starbucks coming to the market. Before we opened the stores i , gathered the 50 young people who would grace the green apron and represent the company. I sat with them for a few hours and wanted to hear each one of , their personal stories. As they were sharing their stories with me, despite their poverty, their plight in life, there was so much joy and gratitud
[applause] senator harris ok. All right. Its good to be home. Its good to be home. Bisons. S, president frederick, members of the board, distinguished faculty, thank you for this incredible honor. And to the class of 2017, congratulations. [applause] and to youris families and friends who encouraged you and help you up, thank you for all you did. Lets hear it for them. [applause] senator harris ive had the honor of speaking at many commencements, but this one is particularly special for me because decades ago, i sat just thed use it now, feeling embrace of our Howard Family, as family at its best shares common values and aspirations, a family shares hardships and a connected history. A family looks for ways to support and inspire one another. A youngly includes woman who worked her way through as al and is graduating published poet. [applause] family harris our includes the fourth Rhodes Scholar and howard history. [applause] senator harris it includes a woman who got elected to an Adv
And to our 330 Starbucks College Achievement graduates, so proud of you. Those who have benefited from the starbucks and asu partnership. Im incredibly proud to be your partner, congratulations to all of you. [applause] i would like to begin my time with you today by sharing a personal story. Last year, Starbucks Coffee Company Opened our first store in south africa in johannesburg. , i had never been to south africa before. I did not know what to expect. Certainly could not be prepared for the level of poverty and what i saw in the townships throughout the city. We opened 2 stores and lines were out the door in anticipation of starbucks coming to the market. Before we opened the stores i , gathered the 50 young people who would grace the green apron and represent the company. I sat with them for a few hours and wanted to hear each one of , their personal stories. As they were sharing their stories with me, despite their poverty, their plight in life, there was so much joy and gratitud