• Want to Speak at Graduation?

    Calling all Class of 2018 graduates! We invite you to apply to be the commencement ceremony speaker. If you're selected, you'll receive the distinguished honor of sharing your experience and insights, inspiring your fellow graduates and leaving a legacy at LaGuardia Community College.


    The application deadline has passed.



    Graduation will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 9 a.m. at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.


  • Speaker Criteria

    Student Speaker Criteria

    • Completed or will complete a degree at LaGuardia Community College by Spring Session I 2018 (includes December 2017 and February 2018 graduates).
    • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
    • Be in good academic and disciplinary standing
    • Demonstrated record of academic achievement, service and campus involvement
    • Embody the spirit of the graduating class and represent the College

    Applicants must be available to present their speech to the Selection Committee on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.  
  • Application Requirements

    Application Requirements


    Please be prepared to enter all required information on the application
    • A statement of interest telling us why we should pick you.
    • An outline of your proposed speech. Keep in mind that the speech will run no more than three minutes (this translates to 450-550 words).
    • Two references from LaGuardia faculty or staff. Please include their names and contact information.
    • A professional resume outlining professional, academic and co-curricular accomplishments during your time at LaGuardia.

    Selected finalists meet with the Selection Committee to deliver their draft speech.


  • Commencement Books

    Suggested Speech Topics


    You may consider addressing one or more of the following topics in their speeches.

    Note that these are just suggestions, and you are welcome to structure your presentation around other ideas.
    • The transformative power of a LaGuardia Community College education.
    • Your personal development and future outlook.
    • How your personal experiences as a student shaped your educational journey at LaGuardia and developed a desire for you to want to make a change in the world.
    • Demonstrate a familiarity with LaGuardia's rich heritage.
    • Include examples from collegiate life, coursework, co-curricular involvement, service, reflection on the mission and vision of LaGuardia Community College, and relationships developed with peers and others at the College.


  • Students facing the stage

    Selection Criteria


    Commencement is both an ending and a beginning. It's 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 people in attendance, reflect on the common experience and share, in a personal way, the value of the education received at LaGuardia Community College.

    The Selection Committee will be seeking a speaker that best fits the following criteria:
    • A message that suits the occasion: Does it suit the dignity of commencement? Does it relate to LaGuardia's values? Does it convey a message that is intriguing, challenging and/or motivational? Is there a balance of personal story and message intended for the larger audience?
    • A speaker who delivers the speech well: Is the speaker well prepared? Does the speaker use voice, gestures and words effectively? Is the speech ready or close to ready to be presented or will it need significant work?
    • A speaker with presence: Is the speaker engaging? Does the speaker have stage presence? Does the speaker connect with the audience?


  • Selection Timeline


    March 1- 30
    March 30, 2018 at 11:59 p.m.
    April 2 – April 6
    April 6
    April 16
    April 18
    April 20
    April 20 – June 5
    June 5, 2018
    Call for nominations; application period
    Online application deadline
    Applications reviewed by the Registrar's office to ensure all applications meet the eligibility requirements
    Nominees notified and invited to submit draft of speech or 45 second video clip of a portion of their speech.
    Finalists notified and invited to audition
    Speech auditions
    Tentatively scheduled in E-242 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    Student commencement speaker announced
    Student speaker continues to work with faculty/staff coach on their speech to ensure their preparation for the ceremony
    Commencement ceremony