Mercer introduces, hugs First Lady

When Korey Mercer stepped onto the stage to address 3,004 Obama supporters, few students in the crowd expected that he’d be the one introducing First Lady Michelle Obama.

Mercer, a political science senior was selected by Obama for America less than 24 hours before Michelle Obama's N.C. Central University speech. He said it was not a lot a time but enough to do well.

“Obama for America committee assisted with the speech so it wasn’t hard at all,” Mercer said. “Just to say I introduced the First Lady, I mean who else can say that?”

Before introducing the First Lady Mercer spoke about the Obama campaign’s “It Takes One” initiative. He also stressed everything the Obama administration is doing for college students.

“I wouldn't have been able to go to college, and I know some of you all wouldn't have without Pell Grants," Mercer told the crowd.

When Michelle Obama walked onto stage she hugged Mercer to great applause from students and started her speech off by thanking him.

Mercer said at that point his twitter mentions and phone blew up. Mercer said he received more than 100 calls, texts and tweets combined from people congratulating him.

After the event, he was stopped again and again by supporters congratulating him and saying how proud they were of him.

“I actually started trending, (#Korey), for like a couple of minutes,” Mercer laughed.  “All my NCCU followers hit me up just telling me congratulations. It was amazing.”

Early childhood junior Keshante Cavin, who has been friends with Mercer for three years, said she was surprised when Mercer hugged Obama.

“I wasn’t expecting him to actually interact with her. I was expecting them to move him off the stage,” Cavin said. “I was ecstatic that he was given that opportunity.”

When Mercer found out that he was selected to introduce Michelle Obama, he said he was more excited than nervous.

“I didn’t get a chance to speak to her like I wanted to but just to be in her presence, give her a hug, that was all I needed,” Mercer said.

He said the opportunity to introduce the First Lady her motivated him.

“It just confirms that I was doing something right,” Mercer said. “I have taken advantage of every opportunity that I’ve had in college and this opportunity ranks at the top.”

Mercer wants people to do their part and get out to the polls.

“It’s time to vote now.”