Student Speakers
It is a Boise State tradition to recognize student speakers to address their fellow graduates at each commencement ceremony for approximately five minutes, sit on stage with the other dignitaries, and is recognized with a short biography in the program.
Qualifications
- Academically talented with a 3.0 GPA minimum
- An August or December first baccalaureate or associate graduate for winter commencement, or May first baccalaureate or associate graduate for spring commencement
- Articulate and capable public speaker
- Positive role model and representative of Boise State
- Minimum of 64 credits at Boise State
Interested students can contact their college representative below for more information and college-specific deadlines:
Chinma Njoku
Chinma Njoku is earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies with an emphasis in science and a minor in psychology, and represents the College of Health Sciences. She’s from Pocatello, Idaho, and is the daughter of a first-generation immigrant.
“Chinma walks this world with dignity and grace,” said Elizabeth Barnes, a lecturer in the Department of Writing Studies. “She is intensely capable and intelligent. She truly understands and incorporates a growth mindset in all that she does. She is deeply committed to creating a sense of belonging for others, and this resonates in the ways her teammates respond to her.”
Josie Kennedy
Josie Kennedy represents the College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology with minors in environmental studies and sociology. She is part of the Associated Students of Boise State University as a representative for underserved populations.
“To know Josie Kennedy is to be heard, understood and seen,” said Julia Broderick, a lecturer in the sociology department, who Kennedy collaborated with as a teaching assistant. “Her ability to get students out of their shells, engage with the overall class culture, and be pushed out of their comfort zone is a gift in a collective space like the classroom.”