Apply to be Student Speaker

You Could Be This Year's Commencement Student Speaker

Graduating seniors who have something to say can say it before an audience of thousands of graduates and their families. The tradition of a student speaker is as old as Commencement itself.

To Apply You Must:

  • Be a graduating senior from the prior December or spring semester
  • Have a successful academic record
  • Be an upstanding member of the campus community

Your speech will be about 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 event.

There is only one student speaker at Commencement and you’ll precede the Chancellor’s invited community speaker.

Apply to be a Student Speaker

A row of seated students look toward the stage
2023 Graduate Commencement student speaker Mikki Jaramillo in graduation apparel.

As we spread far and wide and embark on our next journey, may we always remember what it means to be a Hoosier.

Mikki Jaramillo, 2023 Graduate Commencement student speaker
*Banner image: Myra Kivett, 2023 Undergraduate Commencement student speaker