Student Commencement Speaker Contest Two graduating University of the Rockies students (one Doctoral and one Master of Arts) will be chosen to deliver a brief inspirational speech at the University’s 2014 Commencement Ceremony. The speech should support the theme Live Your Legacy. Students interested in competing for this honor must submit all application materials by Friday, July 11, 2014 at 5:00 pm to graduation.information@rockies.edu . Interested students must:
Have met graduation requirements between November 2013 and October 2014; Be available for auditions by video (Skype or Lync) during the week of August 4 11, 2014, time and day to be determined; Commit to meeting with a speaker coach for a minimum of one hour during the month of September if they are chosen to speak at the ceremony; and Attend the Commencement ceremony on October 18, 2014 in Denver, CO.
Application Process: For consideration, please submit the required materials by email no later than Friday, July 11, 2014 at 5:00 pm.
Biography (up to 150 words) An electronic copy of your speech by email Please name your document as follows: LastnameFirstnameUORID.doc (e.g. KaneLeahLEKAN2568.doc) Each page should be numbered, no name or other identifying information on the manuscript, please Video of part of your speech (up to three minutes in length). Please provide a link through YouTube, Vimeo, etc. The video is part of the audition designed to evaluate your speaking and presentation skills.
After reviewing all submissions, we will invite up to eight finalists to audition via video (Skype or Lync) in front of the Commencement team. The committee will select the winners shortly thereafter.
Student Commencement Speech Guidelines The commencement theme is Live Your Legacy. The following suggested guidelines for the student commencement speech come from students who have given commencement speeches. While not all the speeches follow these guidelines, most do. Structure and Flow 1. Speeches open with greetings to the Deans, faculty, alumni, and class of 2014, with special thanks to parents, friends, and loved ones who made it all possible. 2. The speech then transitions to a compelling story from the speaker’s experience that illustrates the main topic. 3. There should be a strong conclusion that wraps things up. It may urge the audience to action and encourage them to continue to think about your speech. Remember that this event is a commencement ceremony, and that it marks people going forward and beginning new lives. Characteristics and Length Effective speeches: Are rich in content, have a strong theme, and tell compelling stories; Inspire us by demonstrating passion, conviction, sincerity; and Are inclusive - The speech’s perspective should not reflect that of a single department or discipline.
The speech ultimately needs to be delivered in less than seven minutes and will eventually need to be no more than 850 words. Please note, for the selection process, speeches need to be less than 950 words.