Senior Keynote Commencement Speaker Competition

The University has an established tradition of selecting a graduating senior to deliver a brief address at Commencement. This year there will be one ceremony which will be held at the Ford Center for all graduates on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 1:30 P.M. One Senior Keynote Speaker will be selected through a competitive process as outlined below.

All graduating seniors in good standing at UE are eligible to be considered for the Senior Keynote. This year the Selection Committee is pleased to be able to include seniors from all three colleges, who are encouraged to submit speeches for consideration. To be considered, please complete the following requirements.

  • Submit the embedded form including name of faculty reference – see below
  • Upload the written draft of your Commencement speech - 1000 - 1500 words, or a duration of 10 minutes

A limited number of finalists will be asked to present their speeches before the Selection Committee. The final selections for the Senior Keynote Commencement Speaker will be announced at the University of Evansville Leadership Awards Program.

We encourage you to consider applying. More details on the Senior Keynote and other information you will need for graduation will be available during Commencement Central.

2024 Student Commencement Speaker Selection Committee

  • James MacLeod, 2024 Committee Chair, Professor, History
  • Jennifer Calderone, Senior Director, Alumni and Engagement
  • Kristina Hochwender, Professor, English
  • Melissa Morehead Moore, Programming Coordinator for the CDEI
  • Rania Mousa, Professor, Accounting and Business Administration
  • Katie Mullins, Associate Professor, Creative Writing
  • Abby Murphy, Executive Administrator, Office of the President
  • Grace Reisinger, Student Representative