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COMMENCEMENT

 

Student Speaker Competition

Members of the graduating Class of 2025 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 the National Mall on May 18. All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates from the summer 2024, fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters are eligible to participate.

To enter the competition, please submit in the form below, by Friday, February 21:

  • 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 17-28. Up to five finalists will be invited to a live audition, in person or via Zoom (for distance-learning or fall graduates), in front of a committee of judges from the GW community on Friday, April 4, from 12-2 p.m.

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 front row seat onstage at our #OnlyAtGW moment, Commencement on the National Mall!

The deadline to submit materials is 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, February 21.

 

School
Degree Level
Maximum length of 3 minutes; must be on Vimeo or Youtube and  available for the public to view.
To be considered as a finalist in the competition, University Events will ask for approvals from the Title IX Office, the Office of Conflict Education and Student Accountability, and any other offices it deems necessary.