Rutgers students don't just want to hear President Obama speak, they want him to talk about real issues. Watch video
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Rutgers students said they don't just want to hear President Obama speak at this year's commencement, they want him to hear him talk about real issues impacting the country today.
Pictured left, Marvel Desir, a senior at Rutgers, after signing a petition for the student-let coalition Reclaim Revolution. Also pictured is Meryem R. Uzumcu, a junior at Rutgers and member of the student-led group. The White House made the announcement on Thursday. This year will be the university's 250th-anniversary commencement.
Marvel Desir, a 21-year-old senior majoring in biomedical engineering, will be at the commencement which is the 250th anniversary this year and will be held at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway on May 15.
Desir was standing in front of the Rutgers Student Center on College Avenue with his friend and fellow student 23-year-old Munirah Bishop. Desir said he hoped Obama touched on the issue of race during his speech.
"I feel like he should, especially with the turmoil (going on)," he said.
Desir and Bishop then got into a friendly, but serious debate about who they would vote for in this year's presidential election.
Meryem R. Uzumcu, a junior at Rutgers and member of the student-led coalition Reclaim Revolution, was sitting at an outdoor table in front of the student center with her friend Rochel Moskowitz, a senior at Rutgers.
They too said they were excited about the president's visit, but also wanted to hear a substantive speech -- particularly about student tuition.
Alexandra Faltyn, a sophomore at Rutgers University, said Obama was her favorite president in recent history, and she felt it was fitting for this year's anniversary commencement.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.