The below email was sent to eligible on-campus undergraduate May 2025 participants on February 28.
Dear Champlain students:
Are you our next Commencement speaker? Would you like to represent the Class of 2025 and inspire and celebrate your classmates in a big way during the ceremony on Saturday, May 10? Submit your application by Friday, March 21!
Guidelines for being a student speaker are included below. A committee of faculty and staff will review all submissions and a student speaker will be chosen in April. If you have questions or need additional information please contact graduation@champlain.edu.
Sincerely,
The Graduation Team
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STUDENT COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER CONSIDERATIONS
To be considered for Student Commencement Speaker, applicants must:
- Be in good academic standing
- Be willing to work with our professional staff to refine and rehearse the final speech in the weeks/days leading up to Commencement
A Student Commencement Speech submission includes:
- A complete online application form
- A draft script of 3-4 minutes of original content
- A sample video uploaded of you delivering your speech in a quiet space with clear audio
Elements of a successful Student Commencement Speech can include:
- A message that inspires, encourages, and reflects the vision and hopes of the graduates
- A compelling story that incorporates your Champlain College experience (e.g., volunteerism, balancing work/school, involvement in community, overcoming hurdles, taking risks, a transcendent learning experience, or other)
- A message that appeals to a diverse audience of graduates, families, and friends and that is substantive, meaningful, entertaining, and suitable to the occasion
- A clear and cohesive organization of ideas and messages
- A delivery that includes eye contact, poise, vocal, and visual presentation