Eligibility: All student applicants must…

• Be a member in good academic and disciplinary standing of the graduating class. National Anthem singers can be enrolled students at any class level.

• Have completed an intent to graduate form with the registrar’s office, UNLESS you are applying as a commencement singer.

• Submit this application form, by Sunday, March 9, 2025
• Interested commencement speakers, please limit your speech to three minutes (about 400 words or less) in length when delivered.

• Interested commencement speakers will submit a written copy and video recording of them delivering the proposed speech for a selection panel to review to marroyo@salemstate.edu - Selection will be made by Dean of Students and Provost.

• Interested commencement singers will submit a video recording singing the National Anthem without accompaniment to marrroyo@salemstate.edu, and a panel will review and select.

• Attend commencement.

Commencement Speaker/ Singer Application

Name: *

Phone: *

Student ID#: *

Address: (include town/city and state) *

SSU E-mail Address: *

Gender: *

School(s): *

Undergraduate Degree, Please write N/A if not applicable: *

Graduate Degree, please write N/A if not applicable: *

I am applying for the following: *

Undergraduate Commencement Speaker	Graduate Commencement Speaker
Undergraduate Commencement Singer	Graduate Commencement Singer

If you are applying for Commencement Speaker, please describe any previous public speaking experience, if any:

If you are applying for the Commencement Singer, please describe any vocal experiences, lessons, choirs, solos, if any:

Please provide your social usernames (Twitter and/or Instagram) where we can tag you during the ceremony if you are selected.

If you are applying for Commencement Singer, please describe any experience you had singing the National Anthem. Include where and when this occurred.

As a condition of my candidacy, I hereby give permission to access my academic and disciplinary records to confirm and verify my eligibility to serve as the student commencement speaker/commencement singer. *

clear

I understand that by submitting to be considered, my information, speech, or photo may be promoted on the University website, social media, and local media. *

clear

Commencement Speaker applicants, please attach a copy of your proposed speech to be delivered at commencement. Speeches may be no more than three minutes in length.

Timeline:

• Student applicants will be contacted via email with a link to submit a video of them giving their speech. This should be sumbitted by March 9, 2025.

• Student singers will need to submit an audition video singing the National Anthem without accompaniment. An email will be sent with a link to submit your video. This should be submitted by March 9, 2025

• Student finalists for speaker/singer for each ceremony will be selected by approximately Friday, March 28, 2025

• All speakers & singers are required to attend commencement rehearsal Thursday, May 15, 2025

• Graduating Student Speakers and Singers will receive VIP seating for your ticketed guests, as well as additional guest tickets.

Questions? Email Melissa Arroyo at marroyo@salemstate.edu