Student Speaker Competition

The Commencement Student Speaker Competition will open early in the spring semester.  All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates from the summer 2025, fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 semesters are eligible to participate.

Entry requirements include:

• A biography (maximum 150 words)
• Text of the speech you would deliver at Commencement if you are selected
• Vimeo or YouTube link of you delivering your speech (maximum length of three minutes) 

The Commencement student speaker will receive four seats in the reserved seating section at Commencement on the National Mall, a seat onstage at our #OnlyAtGW moment, and a photo with the Commencement speaker and members of the university’s leadership.