students on stage with graduation cords

Honors Senior Ceremony

Honors Senior Ceremony 

Every Spring, we celebrate the completion of students’ time in the Temple University Honors Program at our annual Temple Honors Senior Ceremony. Seniors should check their email and the Honors Bulletin for specific event details and registration.  

During the ceremony, graduates will: 

  • Be formally recognized for completing the Temple Honors Program 
  • Receive their official Honors cords 
  • Hear remarks from a selected senior student speaker(s) and the Director of the Honors Program, Dr. Amanda Neuber 
  • Celebrate with peers and members of the Honors community 

Attire for graduates at this celebration is business casual (no caps or gowns required). 

We look forward to celebrating this achievement with you and the beginning of your next adventure as an Owl alum! Please email honors@temple.edu

Honors Senior Ceremony Student Speaker 

Since Spring 2026, the Honors Senior Ceremony features a student speaker who helps us celebrate our graduating class. We invite graduating Honors seniors to represent their class in front of family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate this milestone achievement.  

Who Can Apply 

We encourage students to apply individually or with collaborators (pairs or groups of up to three). Applicants must: 

  • Be a graduating Honors senior (May graduate) completing all Temple Honors Program requirements 
  • Be in good standing at Temple University with a minimum GPA of 3.25 
  • Represent the graduating class through academic achievement, community engagement, leadership, or meaningful contributions to the Honors community 

What We’re Looking For 

Honors values authenticity. Be you! We encourage applicants to take creative risks and continue to grow a meaningful Honors tradition. Applicants should consider how their story, and the story of their class, connects to the Honors pillars.  

Application Materials 

Applicants must submit: 

  1. Application form, linked here 
  2. Speech proposal 
    1. A written draft or video submission of your proposed 2–3 minute speech 
  3. One-page personal statement that highlights: 
    1. Your contributions to the Temple Honors community and how you embody the Temple Honors pillars 
    2. Why you would like to represent your class as the Honors Senior Ceremony Speaker 
  4. Resume 

Final Selection Process 

Selected applicants will be invited to present their speeches to the Honors Senior Ceremony Speaker Selection Committee, composed of student leaders from Honors Forum along with Honors staff and faculty. 

The selected speaker(s) will then work closely with Temple Honors staff to refine and rehearse their speech in preparation for the ceremony.