HGSE Student Speech Contest
Graduating students are invited to participate in the HGSE student speaker competition. The selected student will deliver their five-minute speech during the HGSE Convocation Ceremony on Wednesday, May 22. Speeches will be judged on intelligence, wit, and significance to the audience. A panel of faculty, students, and staff will select the winner.
The following are guidelines for preparing student speeches:
Subject matter is up to the student, but please remember that Ph.D., CAS, and Ed.M. graduates will be celebrating a festive and important day in their lives. The speech should say something about the student experience at HGSE.
To submit a speech:
- Include your name, email address, and program/concentration at the top of page 1.
- Speeches must be submitted to osa@gse.harvard.edu by the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2.
- The committee will select a group of finalists who will be asked to audition. Following the auditions, the committee will choose a winner.
- Orator coaching can be made available if the winning speech writer wishes.
Harvard University Student Orations Competition
One of the oldest and most cherished traditions of the University Exercises of Commencement is the Orations Competition.
Orators Workshop 2024 - Wednesday, February 28 at 3 PM in Harvard Yard
View a recording of the 2023 Orators Workshop.
Deadline to submit electronic submissions - Friday, March 22 at 11:59 PM.
Preliminary Auditions – Thursday, April 11 at 4:00 PM, TBD
Final Auditions – Thursday, April 18 at 4:00 PM, TBD