U.S. President Barack Obama addressed about 5,500 University of Iowa students and others on the topic of college affordability. The speech was the last stop on a three-university tour advocating legislation that would keep interest rates on federal Stafford student loans at 3.4 percent.

UI community members took the stage prior to the president's speech:

• Scott Lyon, law student and vice president of the UI Student Veterans Association, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Music graduate student Jacqueline Lang performed the National Anthem.
• Kevin Kummer, chairman of the UI Association of Campus Ministers, delivered the invocation.
• UI President Sally Mason welcomed President Obama to campus.
• Finance student Blake Anderson, one of a small group of students who met with Obama prior to the Field House speech, introduced the president.