Apply to be the Student Speaker for the Spring 2026 CPH Degree Celebration
Application Process
To apply for this honor, please submit a written script of the graduation speech you plan to give, and a video of yourself giving the speech, to the CPH Degree Celebration Committee no later than 5 pm, Sunday, March 29th, 2026. Interested students should email their written speech and video to the CPH Degree Celebration Committee at cph@gmu.edu. In the email, please include your full name, G#, major/degree to be earned, and indicate if you will earn your degree in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026.
The winner will be notified by the beginning of April.
Criteria
Submissions will be judged by a panel that includes CPH administration, faculty, staff, and alumni. The competition is based on the content and the quality of the speech, and you should consider the following when preparing your submission:
- Describe your overall growth as a student and member of the university community
- Think about all facets of your George Mason experience
- Focus on your graduating class (both undergraduate and graduate) and your experiences together with an eye toward your future
- Engage the graduating class and their guests as a whole
- Be no longer than 5 minutes
Speeches should be able to be delivered in front of a large, live audience, and must adhere to the three to five-minute timeframe. The student selected for this honor will receive coaching and an opportunity to practice the speech before the event.
Questions
If you have questions regarding the process, please contact the Office of Student Affairs cph@gmu.edu
We wish you the best in the selection process and CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming graduation!