This spring, the College of Arts & Sciences will select up to three distinguished graduating seniors to speak at the May Commencement Ceremony.
We are seeking candidates from any of the three divisions in the college: Social Sciences, Humanities, and Natural, Physical & Mathematical Sciences.
Applicants for this honor must have distinguished themselves through service to the Department, College of Arts and Sciences, or the University in one or more of the following:
- leadership roles,
- public service,
- creative endeavors,
- research, or
- other accomplishments.
The College of Arts & Sciences Commencement Speaker Committee will review the applications and interview finalists the Monday & Tuesday after Spring Break (March 14-15, 2016).
Commencement Speaker Guidelines:
- Applications must be submitted in writing.
- The applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater.
- The applicant must have applied for May or August 2016 graduation and plan to attend the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at 5:00 p.m.
- The applicant must be a student who has his/her primary major in the College of Arts & Sciences.
- The applicant must be highly motivated and comfortable speaking to large crowds.
- The applicant must submit 1) resume, 2) one-page letter explaining why he/she would like to represent his/her graduating class as a speaker, and 3) a faculty letter of recommendation with this completed application.
- Applications are due to the College of Arts & Sciences by 5 pm on Friday, February 26, 2016.
- Student interviews for a select group of finalists will be held Monday & Tuesday, March 14 & 15, 2016.
- One student speaker will be chosen and notified by Friday, March 18, 2016.
The student selected must submit a draft of his or her remarks to be approved, by a specified deadline approximately 5 weeks prior to the ceremony.
To apply visit the Students page of College of Arts and Sciences.