Deadline to submit is Monday, November 4, 2023 – 1:00 p.m.

One speaker will be selected for each of the Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

• Ph.D Graduates – Thursday, December 12, 5:00 p.m.
• Bachelor’s Graduates – Friday, December 13, 2:00 p.m.
• Master’s Graduates – Saturday, December 14, 9:00 a.m.
   

• Deadline to submit is Thursday, November 4 – 1:00 p.m.
• Committee reviews submissions November 5 – 14 
• Finalists notified of their audition time late on Friday, November 15
• Auditions will be conducted Wednesday, November 20 from 3 – 5 p.m. 
• Communication to determine your availability to audition should you be selected as a finalist, will take place during the committee review period

Yes, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a graduate in the ceremony
• Be in good academic standing 
• Grant permission to verify academic standing
• Have a history of participation in campus and/or community activities
• Acknowledge the speech submitted is your own work and that you have adhered to the Student Honor Code in the creation of this speech

• Follow one of the ceremony links above. The video will be forwarded to the committee along with your written speech for review and can be used in your absence if you are selected but unable to attend your audition.
• Speech should be between 2-3 minutes in length (you will be timed!)
• Speech should be secular in tone, provide inspiration to the graduates, and recount times spent together at Georgia Tech.
• Speech should also be relatable to and appropriate for the entire audience including parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, faculty, and staff. 
• Applicants must feel comfortable speaking at a podium and in front of a very large crowd.
• Remember – the deadline to submit is Monday, November 4, 1:00 p.m.

• An info session will be held virtually on Thursday, October 10 from 1:00 –2:00 p.m., for participation register at - commencement.gatech.edu/reflection
• As you polish your speech, please keep in mind you are talking to your peers, their families, and guests, so a positive and inspiring presentation is hopefully how you would like to be remembered. 
• Try to avoid writing your speech entirely about yourself.  The committee will be looking for a speech with a little humor, some relation to GT (of course), and your/students time spent here, with an inspiring message/story to take forward for all!
• Stage presence is important as well.  You don’t have to memorize your speech; however, you also shouldn’t read it word for word! 
• Be mindful that if chosen to speak at commencement, you will be expected to deliver the speech you presented to the selection committee with possibly some minor tweaks and rehearsed with the Clough Communications staff.

The Commencement Speaker selection committee reviews and scores all applications to narrow down the finalists.  The committee is comprised of Students, Faculty, and Staff. The finalists for the commencement speaker auditions will be contacted via email to confirm audition time. 

• Auditions will be conducted Wednesday, November 20 between 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. In the Center for Student Engagement conference room, 3108 Student Center.
• Finalists will be notified of their specific audition time within the predetermined block of time. You will either give your speech to the selection committee at a podium in the front of the room or virtually based on the finalist’s availability/location. 
• All auditions will be held on the same day.  If you are selected as a finalist, but unavailable for an on-campus audition (i.e., internship. employment), you can either present virtually or your video will be played in your absence. 
• The final speaker for each ceremony will be selected at the end of the auditions and will be notified via email within 24 hours of the audition.

Yes, the individuals selected for each ceremony as the Student Reflection Speaker will work with staff in the The Naugle Communications Center in Clough Commons to rehearse and finalize their speech. The dates and times for practice will be scheduled once the individuals are selected.

The student reflections speaker will speak at the beginning of the ceremony and then will rejoin his/her/their classmates. 

For more information, please contact Debbie Dorsey in the Division of Student Life at 404 385-1562 or debbie.dorsey@studentlife.gatech.edu.