Bemidji State University invites members of the campus community to nominate graduating students to serve as the student speaker at their respective commencement ceremony.<\/p>\n
Commencement speakers represent the voice, values, and lived experience of the graduating class. Nominated students should demonstrate leadership, authenticity, resilience, and the ability to speak meaningfully to the collective student experience.<\/p>\n
The selected student speaker will be invited to deliver a three-minute pre-approved address during their commencement ceremony.<\/p>\n
To be eligible for consideration, nominees must:<\/p>\n
Some components of the selection process will be focused on individual attributes of the nominees, such as the eligibility criteria listed above. Other components of the selection process may include broader non-individual attributes, such as striving to include speakers from academic disciplines or areas of involvement across the years.<\/p>\n
Students selected as speakers will be notified by the Vice President for Student Affairs. Invitees will have the opportunity to accept or decline the invitation to speak.<\/p>\n
Acceptance of the invitation to speak will include written acknowledgement of requirements including continuing to maintain good academic and conduct status with the university, maintaining graduation eligibility, understanding of expectations to align with commencement protocols, accessibility standards, and institutional values. Final speeches must be reviewed and approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Office of Communication & Marketing.<\/p>\n