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Interested in applying to be a 2020 Student Commencement Speaker? Share your experience and insights, inspire your fellow graduates, and leave a legacy at Seattle University.
The selection process is now open for the undergraduate speaker, who will be identified this spring. Selection for the graduate speaker will take place later, once more details of the October ceremonies are determined.
Undergraduates, to apply, please review the following information about the process and criteria.
For information about the ceremonies, other graduation events, apparel, etc, please visit the Commencement Site.
The application process for 2020 has closed. For reference, please see details below for the next cycle.
Applications must include an outline or complete script of your speech to be considered. Our hope is to give you the maximum opportunity to be selected by fully expressing the thoughts you would deliver at Commencement and to prepare you to be successful in giving your speech if selected for an audition. Candidates who have developed their thoughts more fully are generally more successful.
The selection committee consists of students, faculty and staff members. They will review all applications and select up to six finalists. All applicants will be notified if they are selected (or not) to audition and finalists will be emailed about scheduling a specific audition time.
Each finalist will sign up for a 10 minute time slot between 2-3:30 pm. Auditions consist of delivering your speech to the selection committee, as well as short interview questions.
The committee will be seeking a speaker that best fit the following criteria:
All those who audition will be notified by email. The selected speaker will be announced shortly thereafter to the SU community.
They will then be paired with a faculty/staff coach to refine the speech with notes from the selection committee and polish delivery between June and October.
Details about Commencement Ceremonies are forthcoming. Selected speakers will have the option to deliver their speech via video.