All graduates—both undergraduate and Graduate School students—are invited to apply to be speakers for the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony. Selected speakers will receive the distinguished honor of sharing their experience and unique Rhody perspective with classmates, faculty, and guests at their ceremony.

Deadlines

• Deadline for students to apply: Monday, November 10th
• Deadline for submissions to be reviewed and speakers chosen: Monday, November 17th

Criteria for consideration

Please indicate whether you are applying to be the Undergraduate or Graduate School speaker.

Submit the following, in PDF form, to events@uri.edu:

• A brief (one-paragraph) description of why you wish to be selected as a student speaker for the Fall 2025 commencement ceremony.
• A resume that highlights leadership and involvement at URI.
• Proof of your intent to graduate by December 2025 and unofficial transcript.
• Your commencement speech, which should be 3 minutes in length (approximately 400 words), 12 pt. font, and double spaced.

Each student speaker has the opportunity to work with a profession URI Communications Team member for assistance with their speech content and presentation tips.