Pratt Institute Student Commencement Speaker
Information and Criteria
Pratt Institute’s 2015 Commencement Ceremony will be held May 15th at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. There will be two ceremonies: a 10am ceremony for graduate degree recipients, and a 2pm ceremony for undergraduate degree recipients. Two student commencement speakers will be selected; one undergraduate and one graduate.Being chosen as a student speaker is a great honor and carries tremendous responsibility. The individuals chosen should be a representation of their graduating class.
The Commencement Address
The Commencement Addressshould speak primarily to the graduating students, but also should be inclusive of family and friends in attendance. Creativity is encouraged. Speakers should keep in mind the mission and values of Pratt Institute. Pratt’s mission statement is as follows:
The mission of Pratt Institute is to educate artists and creative professionals to be responsible contributors to society. Pratt seeks to instill in all graduates aesthetic judgment, professional knowledge, collaborative skills, and technical expertise. With a firm grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, a Pratt education blends theory with creative application in preparing graduates to become leaders in their professions. Pratt enrolls a diverse group of highly talented and dedicated students, challenging them to achieve their full potential.
Student Speaker Criteria
- Summer 2014, Fall 2014, or May 2015 graduate of Pratt Institute
- Minimum 3.3 GPA
- In good standing with the Institute
- Has earned the respect of the community for high achievement in both academic and co-curricular pursuits
- Embodies the spirit of the graduating class and represents Pratt Institute well
- Possesses strong public speaking skills
Application Requirements
- A letter of interest indicating why you believe you should be chosen for this honor, as well as an outline of your proposed speech. Please include your name, major, student ID number, GPA, and whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student. Keep in mind the speech will run 3-5 minutes.
- Two letters of recommendation from Pratt Institute faculty or staff
- A resume outlining professional, academic and co-curricular accomplishments during your time at Pratt
- Once finalists are selected, they will meet with the committee to deliver their speech
Completed application packets should be forwarded to Meredith Klauss in the Office of Student Involvement, Main Building, Lower Level, no later than Friday, March 27th. Hard copies or digital copies are acceptable. Questions? Contact Meredith Klauss in the Office of Student Involvement, 718-636-3678, .