Obamas create buzz at Sasha’s USC graduation
Grads and loved ones alike angle for photos of former president, Michelle and Malia.
Even before the name “Natasha Obama” was announced as one of the hundreds of students graduating from USC’s Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences on Friday morning, buzz was building about some familiar faces on campus.
Photos of her parents — the 44th president and former first lady — sitting behind cap-and-gown-clad students at Allyson Felix Field were posted on social media, while students at the ceremony texted friends in other colleges about the high-profile guests.
Kim Demu ended up sitting just a section over from Sasha’s parents, Barack and Michelle, and older sister Malia — but with more than a dozen Secret Service agents in between them. Still, she was thrilled to see the family she long revered, and snapped multiple photos.
“I knew [Sasha Obama] transferred from [University of] Michigan to here, but I had no idea she was graduating in this class with my niece,” Demu said. “Very exciting!”
Sasha Obama, 21, beamed as she crossed the stage to commemorate her new sociology degree, as her sister and parents applauded in the audience. The announcement of her name was met with almost universal cheers from the crowd.
Otherwise, the family kept as low profile as possible at USC’s graduation festivities, scooting out of the ceremony soon after Sasha Obama left the stage.
“I was so excited to see Obama and Michelle,” said Michelle Davies, who also graduated Friday from the college. “I wanted a picture [with them] so bad, but then they left early. If I would have gotten a picture, I would have passed out.”
The political science major said she knew Sasha from around campus, noting that the African American community at USC is pretty small — but said it was a different level to see the former first couple.
“I waved at them and Michelle waved back at me,” she said, almost giddy.
The Obamas didn’t address the crowd or take photos with attendees but cheered on the graduates and listened to the speakers. As Barack Obama walked out, he congratulated other parents and family members. Alfred Chen and his friends rushed to the Dornsife College ceremony after getting a text that the Obamas were there.
“We tried to find them but we can’t, there’s so many people,” said Chen, who graduated from the engineering school Friday. Chen and his friends missed the family by about 15 minutes.
Sasha was just 7 years old when her family moved into the White House in 2009. In 2019, she graduated from high school in Washington, D.C., two years after her father’s two terms as president.
She initially attended the University of Michigan but transferred to USC.
Malia Obama also lives in L.A., where she’s working in the film industry.