young woman wearing graduation regalia speaking at a UB podium.

Student Speaker Selection Process & Application

All interested students are encouraged to apply to be our Student Speaker at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony!

To be eligible, students interested in delivering the commencement address must meet the below criteria:

Have completed, or be on track to complete, all requirements for graduation.
Be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
Commit to attend and participate fully in the student speaker rehearsal (May 1st) and the commencement ceremony (May 18th).

Student Speaker Application click to apply

Student Speaker Selection Committee

Students TBD
Jamila Lee (Staff)
Ashley Abbott (Staff)
Lisa Mueller (Staff)

Learn more about serving on the selection committee click to Learn more about serving on the selection committee

Application Requirements and Expectations:

Your speech should be 3-5 minutes in length. Submitted by one person. No groups included.
Prepare a draft of your speech. Your draft doesn’t need to be in final form. It should, however, sufficiently convey the tone and content of your speech.
The student speaker will be chosen based on speech content and presentation skills. Content should be celebratory, respectful, and inspirational and should not include inflammatory, and/or derogatory comments.
Prepare a video of your speech demonstrating your presentation style.
Submit your application here. Please know that your submissions are private.

Please note, the University reserves the right to edit the selected student speaker content.

Criteria

The speaker will be evaluated based on:

Speech content (clarity, introduction, body, conclusion)
Presentation skills (tone, body language, eye contact, use of language)
Relatability of the content to your peers, faculty, family, friends and staff who may have supported you during your journey

The selection committee will rate each student using a rubric. Candidates who are invited as a finalist to audition should attend with a final version of their speech and be ready to give the speech as if presenting at the actual commencement ceremony.

If you are selected to be the student speaker, you will be seated on stage during the ceremony, have your name printed in the program, and be eligible to receive special, reserved seating for your guests.

Important Dates:

Deadline for Student Speaker Selection Committee Applications:
Tuesday, March 4th by 11:59 p.m.
Student Speaker Selection Committee Drawing *if needed*:
Wednesday, March 5th at 12:00 p.m.
Deadline for Student Speaker Applications:
Wednesday, March 12th by 11:59 p.m.
Deadline for Student Selection Committee | Top 3 Candidates:
Friday, March 28th by 11:59 p.m.
Student Speaker Top 3 Live Auditions:
Wednesday, April 2nd at 12:15 p.m. (12 O’Brian Hall)
Student Speaker Committee Deliberations:
Friday, April 4th at 12:30 p.m. (12 O’Brian Hall)
Student Speaker Announcement:
Monday, April 7th
Student Speaker Rehearsal Dean Mueller:
Thursday, May 1st