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Student Commencement Speaker Self-Nomination Process

Winter 2008

Are you interested in speaking on behalf of your classmates at the Winter Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008?

Do you believe you can give a speech that your graduating classmates, parents and friends will remember on this auspicious occasion?

Then maybe YOU are the right person to become the next Student Commencement Speaker.

How It Works

The Honors Council will select a Student Commencement Speaker to give a speech on behalf of their classmates at Winter Commencement.

To be considered for Student Commencement Speaker, applicants must be graduating with highest or higher honors (summa cum laude or magna cum laude) and must submit a draft speech for review by the Honors Council.

For most, commencement is both an ending and a beginning; an opportunity for graduates to reflect on what has been, while anticipating new, perhaps unknown, challenges.

The most well received speeches are those that have the most meaning for the largest number of persons in attendance, reflect on the common educational experience, and share, in a personal way, the value of the education received at SUNY Plattsburgh.

In selecting the best submitted draft, the Honors Council considers such things as:

Draft speeches submitted should be approximately no more than five (5) minutes long, which translates into approximately three (3) to four (4) double-spaced pages.

This is not a nomination. Students wishing to be considered must follow the steps outlined below.

What You Need to Do

Step 1: Contact the Honors Center

If you are considering submission of a draft speech for the 2008 Winter Commencement Ceremony, please notify the Redcay Honors Center of your intent no later than Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. For details, please contact:

Colleen Bernard
Phone: (518) 564-3075
E-Mail colleen.bernard@plattsburgh.edu

Be sure to include your name, address, Plattsburgh State ID #, e-mail address and telephone number for verification purposes.

Step 2: Submit Your Speech For Consideration

Then you have until 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 to submit your draft speeches in Microsoft Word format to Colleen Bernard by email colleen.bernard@plattsburgh.edu All draft speeches are reviewed anonymously, so please do not type your name on the speech. Instead, on a separate cover sheet, include your name, address, Plattsburgh State ID #, email address, telephone number and academic major.

The Honors Council will review all submissions and then a graduating student will be chosen Student Commencement Speaker no later than Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. The person selected as Student Commencement Speaker will receive assistance from members of the Honors Council in preparing the final version of the speech prior to Winter Commencement. Additionally, the Student Commencement Speaker will seat on the dais with college officials and honorees during commencement, and family members of the Student Commencement Speaker may be able to sit in the reserved section. All qualified graduating students who submit a draft speech will receive a memento from the college in appreciation of their effort.

This is a distinct honor, and one that many Student Commencement Speakers have enjoyed. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. David N. Mowry, University Distinguished Teaching Professor and Director of the Honors Program by email david.mowry@plattsburgh.edu or phone 564-3075.

Winter 2008 Dates to Remember

Contact Information

If you have a question about Commencement at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:

Office of the President
 Office: 159 Hawkins Hall
Address: 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, New York 12901

Phone: (518) 564-2010
Fax: (518) 564-3932
E-mail: president_office@plattsburgh.edu

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