Academics Admission Athletics Alumni News/Calendars Giving to OC Resources Student Life Home
Photo of the top of Towers Hall exterior Graphic: Otterbein College Academics > Registrar > Commencement > Student Speaker Audition

Student Speaker Audition

Graduating seniors who will be participating in the commencement ceremony are invited to audition to be this year's commencement speaker. The selection committee is comprised of representatives from Student Life, Communication, Theatre and the Office of the President. To apply, please do the following:

  1. Write a letter of application indicating your interest in being this year's student commencement speaker. Your letter should also include your name, major, and approximate GPA. Your letter should also confirm that, if selected, you are willing to meet with faculty at least twice per week in the weeks leading up to commencement to polish both your speech's content and presentation. Please also list your email address and reliable contact information (such as your cell phone number).

    This letter of application must be typed and turned in to the President's Office no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday of week 3 (Spring Quarter). You will be contacted for an appointment to audition before the committee.

  2. Write your intended commencement speech. This speech should be approximately 15 minutes long (about 1-2 single spaced typed pages, but you should time yourself delivering it). The committee is looking for content that will be inspirational, reflective of your shared experience at Otterbein College, and anticipatory of future challenges. You may also want to include references to shared experiences such as the Common Book or the Senior Year Experience. This speech is due to the committee at the time of your audition and you will be expected to deliver 5-7 minutes of your speech.
  3. Auditions before the committee will be held beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, (week 4 of Spring Quarter), in the President's Conference Room. Following review of your application you will be contacted with your audition time. Seniors who have not met the application deadline or arrive without a completed speech will not be allowed to audition.
  4. The committee will notify the selected speaker by the next day (Friday of week 4). The speaker will be expected to work intensively with faculty on the committee to further prepare his or her speech for commencement.