Would you like to be the student speaker at this year’s graduation ceremony?
The CGU Graduate Student Council invites students participating in the 2024 commencement ceremony to submit an application to be this year’s student speaker.
The theme for this year’s event is Having the Courage, which Maya Angelou once described as “the most important of all the virtues.” Having the Courage refers to being present, daring, consistent, and authentic and is reflected in persevering, moving forward, imagining possibilities, and showing up and speaking up when it really matters.
The Application Form and Speech Rubrics that will be used to review applications are available for download. Please submit and upload your application and required materials to this Microsoft Form.
Student Commencement Speaker Search Rubric
Student Commencement Speaker Application
Submit Application and Materials
Applications missing any of the noted information in the form will not be considered. Applications are due on February 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm (PT).
If you have any questions, please contact Oscar Guerrero, GSC Secretary, at Secretary.GSC@cgu.edu, or Vaishnavi Mansabdar, GSC Treasurer, at Treasurer.GSC@cgu.edu
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the CGU Student Commencement Speaker must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Students/alumni who received their degrees* during the Summer and Fall semesters that immediately precede the current Spring semester and who have not participated in a previous ceremony for the same degree.
- Students graduating during the Spring semester who have not participated in a previous ceremony for the same degree
- The selected student speaker must be present at the commencement ceremony on May 11, 2024.
*Degrees are defined as master’s or doctoral degrees. Students who received or are receiving a certificate only are not eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Steps to Apply
Applicants must provide the following:
- Completed application scanned into a PDF file format with Advisor’s signature.
- Resume/CV in PDF file format
- Hi-Res professional headshot photo (300 dpi) in .jpg file format.
- Typed biography (no more than 250 words) in a .docx file format. This biography will be published on the CGU Commencement webpage and promoted by GSC.
- Typed 3-minute (minimum) speech in a .docx file format. Speech should include a brief background of the speaker and provide a charge to the 2024 CGU graduating class. We encourage applicants to center the 2024 commencement theme of Having the Courage in their speech. Maya Angelou once described Having the Courage as “the most important of all the virtues.” Having the Courage refers to being present, daring, consistent, and authentic and is reflected in persevering, moving forward, imagining possibilities, and showing up and speaking up when it really matters.
Applications missing any of the above information will not be considered.
Upload the scanned application, professional photo, resume/CV, brief biography and typed 3-5- minute speech to this Microsoft Form through your CGU email address for official verification.
Selected applicants, notified by email, must present their speech to a panel of judges. Time and date to be determined.
Application is due on February 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm (PT). No exceptions will be made.