Student Speaker Competition
Members of the graduating Class of 2026 are invited to enter the Commencement Student Speaker Competition for the chance to address their classmates and other members of the GW community at the university-wide Commencement on May 17. All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates from the summer 2025, fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 semesters are eligible to participate.
To enter the competition, please submit the form below by Sunday, February 22, at 11:59 p.m. ET:
- A biography (maximum 150 words)
- Text of the speech you would deliver at Commencement if you are selected
- A Vimeo or Youtube link of you delivering your speech (maximum length of three minutes)
Ten applicants’ videos will be judged by GW students in an online public voting round that will run from March 30 to April 12. Up to five finalists will be invited to a live audition, in front of a committee of judges from the GW community on Friday, April 17.
The Commencement student speaker will receive:
- Four seats for guests in the reserved seating section
- A photo with the Commencement speaker and members of the university’s leadership
- A seat onstage at our #OnlyAtGW moment, Commencement on the National Mall!
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Monday, January 26 | Competition opens |
| Sunday, February 22 | Deadline for students to submit videos |
| February 25-March 18 | Schools review entries and select a first-round winner and alternate. |
| March 30-April 12 | Public voting |
| Friday, April 17 | In-person auditions |
The deadline to submit materials is 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 22.