Student Commencement Speaker
The Student Speaker Selection Committee is now accepting applications for students to deliver a Commencement address to their fellow graduates. One speaker will be chosen from nominees from the Schools of Science & Technology and Social Sciences to speak at the morning ceremony. A second speaker will be chosen from nominees from the Schools of Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics and Education to speak at the afternoon ceremony.
Applicants must:
- be graduating students who received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in December 2007 or will receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree in May or August 2008.
- have at least a 3.0 SSU GPA (grade equivalent for Hutchins students will be accepted.)
- be able to demonstrate active engagement through service to the community or University, club or athletic participation.
- get a recommendation from a faculty or staff member.
All students wishing to be considered must:
- fully complete the Student Speaker Application form, which includes a nomination by a faculty or staff member.
- include a bio that will be used in the Commencement program (approximately 200 words.)
- prepare a draft speech for consideration. Deliver application with nomination, bio, and draft speech to Commencement Coordinator (Jill Voelker) in Stevenson 1064 no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2008.
Printed application forms are also available in the University Affairs Office (Stevenson 1064), and at the front desk of the Student Union (1st floor). Applicants who are chosen to proceed to the audition phase will be notified by April 18. Auditions will be held April 25.
Criteria for Speeches
The theme of this year’s speech is the distinctiveness of the SSU experience.
The selection committee will be comprised of students, faculty and staff (5-7 committee members total).
Texts of the speeches submitted by nominees will be judged by the following criteria:
- Content
- The speech should be serious but entertaining, and should present a positive message. It should be relevant to graduates in general and to SSU graduates in particular, yet should also address the general audience.
- Structure
- Is the speech well put together? Does it flow well? Does it have a good beginning, middle and end that delivers its message clearly?
- Articulation and Presentation Style of Speaker
- The speaker should use clear and expressive language and be able to hold the listener’s interest.
- Originality
- Speeches must have original content and be developed expressly for the Commencement ceremony.
- Motivation
- The speech should be motivating, unifying and engaging.
- Length
- The speech should be approximately 5 minutes.
Proceed to the Student Commencement Speaker Application Form.
