You Could Be This Year's Commencement Student Speaker
Graduating students are invited to apply to speak at Commencement, sharing their reflections and motivating words with an audience of thousands of graduates and their families. The tradition of a student speaker is as old as Commencement itself.
There are two student speakers at Commencement: an undergraduate student and a graduate student. Graduate students should watch for communications from the Graduate School with information about the speaker opportunity. Undergraduate students can find details on this page.
Speeches are 3-5 minutes long, or about 500-750 words. If chosen, you'll get help with editing and rehearsing. You'll also be invited to sit on stage during the ceremony.
Apply to be the undergraduate student speaker
Graduating seniors can apply in the spring. To be eligible, you must:
Be an undergraduate student graduating in May 2025, summer 2025, or who has already graduated in December 2024
Be in good academic standing with a history of participation in campus or community activities. Academic standing and adherence to student conduct expectations will be confirmed with the student's academic dean.
Complete an application.
Applications open in late January and will be available via this page.
Today, we become the agents of change, the trailblazers, and the leaders the world desperately needs.
Beyond the application essay, students who make it to the semi-final round will come in for a 20-minute interview with the selection committee.
Students who make it to the final round will come in to deliver their speech for a small audience.
Finally, once the student commencement speaker is named, that student can expect to do five to seven practice speeches in front of various audiences on campus (e.g., deans, student organizations, faculty and staff meetings) during the month of April. We work around the student’s schedule to ensure the speaker gets plenty of campus feedback before delivering the speech on commencement day.
Yes, assistance with speech development and editing will be provided.
A selection committee with representation from the faculty, staff, and student body will review applications, interview candidates, and determine finalists.
No, being a student speaker at commencement is not a paid position.
One undergraduate student.
No. A featured speaker, to be selected by the president of the university, will give a full-length commencement address.
No. The student speaker will be seated on the stage with other members of the platform party.
The Division of Undergraduate Education facilitates the selection process. Contact speaker@iu.edu with questions.
