Amid the “Pomp and Circumstance” and gold tassels, students can submit nominations for the speaker at the University’s May 2012 commencement exercises.
Chancellor Michael Martin and his staff are currently accepting nominations for graduation speakers, and students can submit their choices to the chancellor via e-mail ([email protected]) until Oct. 15.
Martin said it is too early to qualify candidates or say what traits the University is seeking in a commencement speaker — instead, he wants to hear suggestions of individuals worthy of speaking.
An array of prominent policy-makers who have impacted the country, state or University have spoken at past University commencements.
Previous May commencement speakers of the past 20 years include former President Jimmy Carter, former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush. Both George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were also May commencement speakers while they were serving terms as president and vice president, respectively.
State leaders Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sen. Mary Landrieu have also spoken at May commencements.
Other notable speakers include former Honduran President Carlos Flores, a University graduate, and Bob Wright, former chairman and CEO of NBC Universal.
But students said they care more about the message a speaker conveys than a speaker’s credentials or position.
Austin Wong, biological engineering freshman, said he envisions hearing “an average Joe” who has done something inspirational, like the people featured on “CNN