Seeking Student Commencement Speakers

February 6, 2026

The St. John Fisher University 72nd Commencement is scheduled for Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 with five ceremonies celebrating bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree recipients. Once again this year, the University is seeking student speakers through a nomination process open to all members of the campus community. Students may also self-nominate.

Ceyla Mentis speaks at Commencement.

A selection committee, comprised of divisional and School representatives, will select five student speakers to represent graduates across the various undergraduate and graduate ceremonies. Nominated students will be contacted to confirm their interest in being a speaker and will be required to complete an interest form with questions about their Fisher experience as well as details about the focus of their speech.

The timeline for this process is as follows:

  • Nomination Form Opens: Monday, February 16
  • Nomination Form Closes: Wednesday, March 11
  • Nominated Students to Submit Final Interest Form: By Friday, March 20
  • Selection Committee Chooses Finalists: No later than Friday, March 27
  • Student Speakers Notified: Thursday, April 2
  • Speakers Announced: Monday, April 6  

Nominate a Student