Nominate a Commencement Speaker
Commencement is a celebration of academic achievement that unites the entire ǧÃŬAV community. It is the last step in the academic journey for our students and their first step as ǧÃŬAV graduates.
We hope you will take an active role in this proud tradition by helping us identify potential alumni speakers and student speakers who will inspire our graduates, families, faculty, staff, and guests.
We encourage you to make nominations by following the process outlined below.
Contact Info
For more information or to request a list of past speakers, email universityevents@ung.edu.
Process & Guidelines
Alumni Speakers
In collaboration with the Office of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving, the committee is seeking nominations for alumni commencement speakers. All members of the ǧÃŬAV community are encouraged to make nominations.
Faculty members who are ǧÃŬAV alumni are eligible.
ǧÃŬAV does not currently provide honorariums to commencement speakers. The committee may make a recommendation to award honorary degrees to recognize exceptionally distinguished speakers, with Presidential approval and in accordance with University System of Georgia and ǧÃŬAV policy.
Alumni speaker nominees should:
- Have excellent public speaking skills
- Be able to deliver a meaningful and relevant message for our graduating students
- Be an enthusiastic ǧÃŬAV alumnus who wants to teach our graduates the value of joining the university's alumni association and being an active and involved member.
- Possess core values consistent with the University of North Georgia mission, vision, and values
Student Speakers
Eligible fall and spring graduates who submit their graduation application on time and indicate an intention to walk in their ceremony will be invited to apply for this distinct honor. Members of the ǧÃŬAV community may also nominate exceptional students for consideration.
Candidates must submit the following as part of their electronic application:
- General contact information
- Description of why they should be selected
- Short bio (200 words or less)
- Professional headshot or availability to have a photo taken by ǧÃŬAV's photographer
- Letter of reference from faculty member
- Draft of speech (no more than four minutes)
- Video recording of proposed speech
The Commencement Committee will review each applicant’s submission and make the final selection of student speakers.