Commencement Student Speaker Selection

Share Your Mason Story!

Are you participating in the graduation ceremony this June? 

Interested in sharing your journey and experience as a Mason Korea student with others? 

You could be the Student Speaker on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in the IGC Auditorium! 

If you are interested in applying, please see the information below for more details. 

 

Speaker Details

  • All students who graduate in the summer and fall of 2025 are invited to be considered for the Fall 2025 Commencement Student Speaker honor. 
  • Submit an original script for a graduation speech that you will publicly perform in the IGC Auditorium on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in front of a large live audience.
  • Your speech should be about 3 to 4 minutes, and you must adhere to this allotted time without exception.
  • Please note that the length of the speech must be adhered to without exception. 
  • In addition to submitting your written speech, we ask you to submit a copy of your resume. 
  • Coaching and opportunities to practice and refine your speech will be provided to the student selected. 

Written submissions are due at noon on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. After the first round of the selection process, students selected will be invited to deliver their speeches in person to the student speaker selection committee for the final round.

If you wish to be considered, submit your application!

Suggestions on helping to focus the content of the speech:

The goal of the speech is to share and showcase students’ “Mason Korea stories” and how they describe their overall Mason Korea experience and growth as a student and member of the university community. We encourage students to:  

  • Discuss all facets of their campus life experience.
  • Focus on their graduating class and their experiences together with an eye toward their future.
  • Engage the graduating class and their guests as a whole.

Selection Timeline:

  • Deadline to apply is Noon on Wednesday, November 5
  • Review of written material completed by Monday, November 10
  • Inform selected interviewees on Tuesday, November 11
  • In-person reviews on Friday, November 14
  • Speaker announced by Monday, November 17
  • Speech refinement and rehearsal between Tuesday, November 18 and Monday, December 1

Please contact Professor Jason Kifer at jkifer@gmu.edu with questions. 

Good luck, and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!