2026 Commencement Speaker Application

Thank you for your interest in being the 2026 Commencement Speaker. Please complete the application form and submit a copy of your proposal for a 3 to 5 minute speech. Your application will be reviewed for completeness, neatness, thorough and thoughtful answers to questions, and fulfillment of the application guidelines.

Please direct questions to Stephanie Kendall, Administrative Assistant to the VP for Student Services, skendall@whatcom.edu. 

To serve as the 2026 Commencement Speaker, students must:

  • Be on track to complete required qualifications for spring quarter 2026 graduation

  • Attend and fully participate in all commencement activities

  • Work with WCC Faculty to refine speech and practice delivery

  • Be in good academic standing

  • Be comfortable speaking in front of a large audience

Selection Process:

  • The Commencement Speaker Selection Committee will review applications

  • Selected applicants will be invited to speaker auditions to deliver a 3 to 5 minute proposed speech

  • Final selection will be made by the President’s Office

Important Dates:

  • April 17, 2026: Applications Due

  • May 4, 2026: Speaker Auditions

  • May 15, 2026: Commencement Speaker Announced

  • June 17, 2026: Commencement Rehearsal 

  • June 18, 2026: Commencement Ceremony

Speech Information:

  • Commencement speech delivery should be approximately 3 to 5 minutes long

  • Suggested speech themes include:

    • Your personal story - why did you choose WCC? How your educational journey at WCC helped you reach your educational and/or career goals? How did WCC impact and/or transform your life and educational journey?

    • Inspiration and motivation of fellow graduates 

    • Next steps after graduation

  • Samples of previous WCC commencement speakers can be found at https://youtu.be/1EGMMygeY6I

Selection Considerations:

  • Clarity of ideas

  • Suitability for occasion and intended audience

  • Quality of content

  • The extent to which speech represents the values of Whatcom Community College

Rubric for Commencement Speech