Speakers & Banner Bearers
Information about keynote speakers, student speaker competitions and selections, and banner bearer nominations for the GW School of Business commencement ceremony will be announced in the spring.
GW Commencement on the National Mall: Student Speaker Competition
Enter the Student Speaker Competition for the chance to address your classmates and the GW community at the university-wide Commencement on the National Mall in May.
- The Commencement Student Speaker Competition will open early in the spring semester.
- All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates from the summer 2025, fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 semesters are eligible to participate.
GW Business School Celebrations: Student Speaker Competition
Enter the GW Business School Celebration Student Speaker Competition for the chance to share your wisdom and experience with your classmates and the GW community as a featured speaker at your celebration.
- Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - Online Graduate Programs Celebration (virtual)
- Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Undergraduate Celebration
- Friday, May 15, 2026 - Master's and Doctoral Celebration
More information will be provided in the spring semester. Please note, this competition is separate from the GW Commencement on the National Mall speaker.
- Eligibility & Applications
Eligibility:
All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates from the summer 2025, fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 semesters are eligible to participate.Online Graduate Student Speaker Application:
The Online Graduate Program Celebration virtual speaker will be selected based on the materials submitted through the application form (form will be provided in early spring).Undergraduate & Master's/Doctoral Student Speaker Application:
Additional details and application information will be provided in early spring.- Auditions
For each school celebration:
- Up to five finalists will be invited to audition in front of a committee of judges from the GW community.
- Auditions for the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral school celebration will be held on Friday, March 22, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
- If selected, your time slot will be finalized by Friday, March 15.
Be prepared to share a brief introduction about yourself before you give your speech to tell us why you want to be the student speaker. After your speech, the judges may have questions. Dress is business attire.
- Selection Criteria
You will be selected based on the following five criteria:
- CONTENT (what you say)
- Appropriate for the event, cohesive, organized with engaging start and memorable conclusion, engaging theme/story, creative, and delivered in 3 minutes or less.
- DELIVERY (how you say it)
- Polished, easily understood, dynamic (i.e., good variety of gestures/expressions and voice pitch, volume & pace), body and voice appear natural/genuine.
- STUDENT APPEAL
- Representative and relatable - even to a broad student body
- GENERAL GUEST APPEAL
- Moves guests [students, faculty, families, friends, distinguished alumni, Board of Trustees, and guests] to be impressed by the GW student body
- INSPIRATIONAL
- Memorable and moving message
- CONTENT (what you say)
Banner Bearer Nominations
Banner bearers will participate in GW Commencement on the National Mall by carrying the GW School of Business banner during the academic processional and recessional.
Five banner bearers will be selected: two undergraduate, two master’s and one doctoral candidate.
Banner bearers must:
- Be cleared to participate in University Commencement on the National Mall on May 18
- Attend on-campus rehearsal on May 13 or May 14
- Arrive early at commencement
- Provide their own regalia
The chosen banner bearers will:
- Sit in front-row reserved seating
- Be formally recognized; the lead will be announced by name from the stage
Banner bearer nomination information will be released in early spring.