Kamala Harris to be first woman commencement speaker at West Point

Vice President Kamala Harris will be the first woman commencement speaker at West Point during its graduation on May 27.

It is customary for the vice president to speak at commencement for one of the military academies on a rotating basis. Last year Harris gave the commencement address at the Naval Academy.

“We are honored to have the Vice President as our commencement speaker,” Superintendent Army Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland said in a statement. “As an accomplished leader who has achieved significant milestones throughout her career, we look forward to her inspiring remarks to our cadets.”

The statement also noted that it will be Harris' first visit to West Point.

Graduating students posted various reactions to the announcement. One cadet said, “Even if you don’t like the VP it is still amazing that she is speaking because we are witness history as she is the first female VP and first female to give a commencement speech at West Point.”

On the other hand, another cadet said, “Yay! The most unpopular VP in history is gonna come speak to us at graduation.”