To begin the process, you will need to submit the following materials through the submission form. 

• A proposed Class Day speech of 4 to 5 minutes in length (approximately 500-750 words) in Word .docx/.doc or Adobe .pdf format.
• An up-to-date biography/resume/CV in Word .docx/.doc or Adobe .pdf format.
• The link to a recording of you reading your proposed Class Day speech (shared on YouTube or Vimeo). NOTE: if your video is password protected, we will need that information as well.

NOTE: The committee will only review submissions that include all required materials.

Student Criteria

• Must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
• Have applied to graduate and completed all the terms and requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College (the Columbia College Core Curriculum, specific requirements for your major and/or concentration and completed 124 points) by May 2025.

      Graduates with degrees conferred in October 2024, February 2025, and May 2025 are all eligible.

Fundamentals of a Class Day Speech

Keep in mind your speech can reference the duration of your undergraduate career. You might reflect on your engagement with the Core Curriculum, other influential classes, extracurricular activities, internships or jobs, residential and global experiences, research opportunities and random conversations with faculty or friends. We also recognize the last few non-traditional academic years you’ve had due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so we encourage you to reflect on your experiences as they relate to the above as well. You may want to consider: how have these moments helped you to grow personally, professionally, and as a citizen of the world? How have these moments helped to shape your journey thus far and the journey you will take after Commencement?

Remember, the audience will consist of students, faculty, families, friends, distinguished alumni and guests. The speech should have some elements to which everyone can relate.

Wednesday, January 29 – Submission form opens.

Sunday, March 23 – Submission form closes at 11:59 p.m.

Week of March 24 – Selection committee (consisting of College staff) reviews submissions and selects 3 semi-finalists

Monday, March 31 – Selection committee notifies 3 semi-finalists 

Week of March 31 – Semi-finalists work with committee representatives to practice and refine their remarks.

Week of April 7 – Semi-finalists present revised remarks to the selection committee .

Week of April 14 – Committee selects the finalist.

In addition to the selection process, please find some helpful tips below in preparing your remarks.

Theme and Content

• Think about what you would want to hear as a member of the audience. You may want to share your aspirations and convictions, passions or goals. Have a narrative. Tell a story. 

• Strong speeches have strong themes. Try to maintain a consistent theme throughout your speech and hold your audience’s interest with specific examples and anecdotes.

General structure

There is not a specific template or format to which speeches must adhere, but there is a general structure that most Class Day speeches follow:

• Begin by acknowledging the Dean, President, keynote speaker, faculty, alumni, parents, friends, guests, and the entire Class of 2025 who made the day possible
• Incorporate the fundamentals of a Class Day speech, as indicated above
• Conclude with a celebratory message, marking the individual and shared accomplishments of the Class of 2025

​Timing

A four to five-minute speech contains approximately 500-750 words, depending on the speed and cadence of your delivery. Please time the length of your speech prior to submitting your draft

Feedback

Students are strongly encouraged to solicit feedback from faculty, advisers, peers and others before submitting their applications.