One student speaker will address approximately 8,000 attendees, representing all academic units, at the on Friday, May 8, 2026, as the Graduate Commencement Student Speaker.
The selected speaker will be seated on stage with other members of the platform party during the ceremony and will deliver a 3-5 minute speech (approximately 500-750 words). IU will provide assistance with speech development and editing.
IUB graduate students graduating in May or summer 2026 are invited to apply by completing the form below.
Applications include:
Applications are due March 6, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. A selection committee convened by the Graduate School will review applications and determine the speaker.
The only repayment we can offer that might be worth anything, is to pass it on down the line, beckon others to explore boldy and fail spectacularly, and offer what light we might shine on the rest of the world.
Patrick Blackstone, Ph.D. Physics Recipient, 2024 Spring Graduate Commencement Student Speaker