One speaker will be selected for each of Commencement ceremonies.

• Ph.D. Ceremony – Friday, May 5 from 10AM - Noon

• Master’s Ceremony – Friday, May 5 from 3:00 – 5:30PM

• Bachelor’s Ceremony – Saturday, May 6 from 9:00 – 11:30AM

• Bachelor’s Ceremony – Saturday, May 6 from 3:00 – 5:30PM

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

• You must summit your draft speech and video.
• Be sure to select the correct ceremony when submitting.
• 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.
• Applications must be received by the deadline.

• A virtual info session to learn more about writing your speech, do's and don'ts, etc. will be held Wednesday, Wednesday, February 22 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. RSVP to debbie.dorsey@studentlife.gatech.edu for the link!
• As you polish your speech please keep in mind you are talking to your peers and 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 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 will be contacted via email to schedule an audition the following week.

• Auditions will be conducted Thursday, April 13 between 10:00AM – 12:00PM 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), 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.

• Deadline to submit is Monday, March 27 – 12:00PM
• Committee reviews submissions March 28 – April 6
• Finalists notified of their audition time late on Friday, April 7
• Auditions will be conducted the week of April 10 – 13, specific day/time TBD.