Savannah State Update:
- Students want a commencement speaker who understands the Class of 2025 and speaks from genuine experience.
- Many nominate professors or respected students rather than a celebrity or random pick.
- Speeches should be motivational, uplifting, concise, and acknowledge graduates’ struggles and achievements.
- Key qualities desired: resilience, involvement, leadership, and community impact—especially at an HBCU.
- Speakers should boost confidence about the future while speaking truthfully and relatably to the class.
With fall graduation right around the corner, students have their own opinions on who should go before the entire Class of 2025 on stage. The speech is one of the most memorable and uplifting parts of the ceremony, setting the tone for Class of 2025’s final goodbye.
The Class of 2025 is excited for what’s next to come. They worked hard to get to where they are, and they are so close to the finish line.
“With graduation coming up, it feels surreal,” said pre-law student Jordan Jenkins. “This school year, I am a double graduate, and knowing I am walking across the stage and stepping into real adulthood, having a big girl job, and starting my career, it’s a little intimidating but I refuse to back down from a challenge and I’m ready to take it on.”
Graduation brings on a whirlwind of conflicting emotions for some upcoming graduates. Kianna Holt, a mass communications student, reflected on her feelings with graduation being just around the corner.
“Knowing that graduation is coming up, I have a lot of mixed emotions. I’m beyond excited and grateful to be graduating, however it’s still bittersweet. I’ve gained a great bit of knowledge from this institution, so to know it’s finally time to graduate, it’s unbelievable,” Holt said.
Some students are beginning to feel the pressure of transitioning from one stage of life to the next.
“Honestly, it feels a little crazy. It’s exciting, but also nerve-racking because everything is starting to feel real,” said political science student Kayla Jordan.
Students had a range of suggestions for who they wanted to speak at commencement, from self nominations and other students they admired, to professors who went above and beyond to see them excel.
“l’d want someone who really understands our class, maybe a professor or student who’s been there for us. Someone genuine, not just a random pick,” said mass communications student Quantez Miles.
“I would like to hear from Makiya Bailey to give us our final thoughts and prayers. In the four years I’ve known her she’s always been an outstanding classmate and has amazing public relations skills. I’ve watched her express her vibrant energy to many students on campus, even students that were not favorable in the public eyes,” Jordan Jenkins said.
Mass communications major, Saniyah Young, said, “I wouldn’t mind giving a speech on graduation. I feel like I have been involved in so much and I’ve been a great leader within my years at Savannah State, however, I wouldn’t want to do the big speech, maybe a student farewell.”
“If I had the opportunity to choose someone to speak at our commencement ceremony, l would choose Dr. Angela Mathis. Dr. Mathis is a great professor here at Savannah State University who definitely pushes her students to limits we didn’t know existed,” said Holt.
For many, the ideal speech needs to be motivational, while some wanted something a little different.
“I want something real and uplifting. Not too long, just a message that motivates us and acknowledges what we’ve been through. It should be someone who’s involved, respected, and actually cares about people, not just someone popular,” said Miles.
“I hope to hear something relatable, fascinating, and inspiring for us to keep going despite all the trials and tribulations each student has been through. We made it and should be happy we completed a milestone,” Young said.
Some shared similar thoughts, each with their own ideas to what kind of person should give the speech.
“The qualities that would make someone a good choice to represent the class would be resilience, involvement, and leadership. Each and every student that’s attending Savannah State University knows what comes with being a Tiger,” said Holt.
“It should definitely be someone who has many accolades behind their name. Someone who is an inspiration upon the youth and black community being at an HBCU,” said Jordan.
“I would say how involved they are in the community, how they treat others including people they have differing opinions of, how they treat themselves, and their academics,” said Jenkins.
No matter who takes the podium, students seem to be looking for a balance between someone who can speak truthfully, and also boost the future graduates’ confidence in what will come after the ceremony.
The Class of 2025 hopes to hear words that capture both their struggles and achievements, and reminds them that the end of college is just the beginning.
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