Supporters line PCH as Obama arrives in Laguna --- ANAHEIM (CNS) - President Barack Obama was greeted by large, cheering crowds on Pacific Coast Highway as he travelled to an ocean-view house in Laguna Beach today, as tens of thousands arrived at Angels Stadium for his noon-hour speech at UC Irvine’s 50th anniversary commencement ceremony. -- Traffic on Laguna Beach’s only major north-south street was blocked for the presidential motorcade, and crowds were four-to-six people deep, according to a pool reporter. -- The presidential 747 had touched down on schedule at 9 a.m. at Los Alamitos Army Airfield. On hand to greet him were Congressman Alan Lowenthal, D- Long Beach, Los Alamitos Mayor Gerri Graham-Mejia, and military officials. -- And at 9:18 a.m., his helicopter Marine One lifted off towards Orange County. -- According to the Democratic National Committee, he was to take part in a roundtable discussion in Laguna Beach with about 25 supporters who will each pay up to $32,400. -- After the fundraiser, Obama was to make his way to Angel Stadium in Anaheim to speak to UC Irvine’s graduating class. -- UCI students conducted a large-scale campaign to lure Obama to the event, with students and staff collecting signatures on an estimated 10,000 postcards that were delivered along with a video to the White House. -- “We are thrilled that the president has accepted our invitation to deliver the keynote address at our commencement exercises this June,” UCI Chancellor Michael V. Drake said in March when the White House announced Obama’s plans to attend. “We will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies of our campus. We are proud of the progress we have made during our first half-century, and are looking forward to even greater achievements in the years to come.”. -- President Lyndon B. Johnson took part in the June 1964 dedication ceremony in a pasture that is now home to the university. -- More than 8,000 students will receive degrees during UCI graduation ceremonies that will be held over three days, according to the university. The unified event at Anaheim stadium will include all undergraduate, graduate and professional schools, with individual ceremonies planned Sunday and Monday. As is typical with presidential visits, motorists should anticipate delays and detours. Police said the following closures were planned today. - More, City News Service, http://www.sgvtribune.com/social-affairs/20140614/obama-to-speak-at-ucis-commencement-ceremony-today