Student Graduation Speaker Elections

I. Overview
In March of every year, the SBA Elections Committee oversees the election of three students, one from the graduating day division class, one from the graduating evening division class, and one from the graduating LLM class, to speak during the commencement ceremony.  Students within these classes may nominate themselves or classmates.  Nominees must accept the nomination in order to be eligible for the election.  Following the close of the nomination period, an election is held during which students from these classes vote for the candidates from their respective graduating class. 

Speeches should be between eight and ten minutes long when read aloud.  Candidates should keep in mind the fact that as a graduation speaker, they will represent the entire graduating class as well as the law school before an audience composed of proud family members, faculty, administration, staff, and distinguished alumni.  Speeches should be well-crafted, dignified, insightful, positive, and indicative of not only the speaker's individual experience, but also the experiences of his or her classmates. Tasteful humor is welcome, especially to the extent that it makes the speech more engaging.  Graduation is intended to be a day to celebrate and the contents and words of the speeches should reflect this sentiment.  Elected speakers must submit an initial draft of the speech for review.  Faculty advisors will provide constructive feedback to aid the elected speakers in producing a final draft.

2011 Commencement Ceremony Graduation Speakers
Day Division Graduation Speaker - Hillary Wasicek
Evening Division Graduation Speaker - John Langmaid
LLM Division Graduation Speaker - Laura Schmitt

2010 Commencement Ceremony Graduation Speakers
Day Division Graduation Speaker - Patrick Linsey
Evening Division Graduation Speaker - Michael Tehan
LLM Division Graduation Speaker - Esteban Carranza

2009 Commencement Ceremony Graduation Speakers
Meghan Reilly - Day Division Speaker
Tara Trifon - Evening Division Speaker