Student Commencement Speaker

Student Commencement Speaker

 

Deadline Extended to Wednesday, February 27th at 12:00 pm!

                 

2013 UAA Student Commencement Speaker

UAA students that have graduated in December 2012 or have applied to graduate in May 2013 are eligible to serve as the 2013 Student Commencement Speaker. The Student Commencement Speaker offers an address during the Commencement Ceremony in May and serves as the representative of the entire graduating class. Providing the student address during this important University event is an opportunity for the selected student to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating class, reflect upon the past few years, and convey a message for the future. Along with notable members of the UAA and UA community as well as other important Alaskan representatives, the Student Commencement Speaker will participate in pre-Commencement activities and be seated on the main stage during the program.

 

Click Here to Download the 2013 Student Commencement Speaker Application

 

Criteria for Eligibility

  • Applicants must have graduated in fall 2012 or be graduating in spring 2013
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative UAA GPA at time of application
  • Currently in good disciplinary standing
  • On-going leadership involvement at UAA for three semesters if receiving a bachelor’s degree, or two semesters if receiving other degrees or certificates
    •  The student’s involvement may include memberships with campus groups, coordinating events on campus, holding campus job or being appointed or elected to a leadership position with an organization, board, or committee
    • The student’s involvement must have contributed to the improvement of student life on campus (i.e.: the student identified a need and filled it. They did not just watch from the sidelines, but instead made a significant difference by their involvement).
  • Submit a complete application – applications due by 5pm on, Monday, February 25, 2013. *Deadline extended*

 

Creating a Commencement Address

The student speaker at commencement has the privilege of addressing all UAA students from those receiving certificates to those receiving masters degrees.  While there are many people in attendance at the ceremony the goal of the student speaker is to represent and speak to their fellow students.

When creating the speech it is important to reflect somewhat on UAA student experiences.  But the speech is not only about retrospection and the experiences students had while at UAA.  The speech should also look forward and provide some sense of the future, some sense of inspiration.  Finally, commencement is a day for celebration.  So it is important to infuse the speech with that sense of accomplishment and pride.

 

For additional suggestions on creating your commencement address we recommend the following:

USA Today: 8 Keys to a Graduation Speech with Pomp and Significance

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-05-12-commencement-graduation_N.htm

 

USA Today: 10 Stellar Commencement Addresses

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-05-12-best-speeches_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

 

GraduationWisdom.com

A website fully dedicated to the art of commencement speeches; video archives of famous address, helpful advice on creating your speech, and tons of inspirational quotes for your consideration.

www.graduationwisdom.com

 

You Tube

Search ‘commencement addresses’ and see the most inspirational, funny, and biggest mistakes!

www.youtube.com