Overview

• Open to all graduating full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students who are in good standing.
• One valedictorian for each of the following convocation ceremonies will be selected:
  • Faculties of Business, Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Faculties of Engineering and Science
• Valedictorians will speak at the convocation in which they graduate, and the selected valedictorians will be notified of the date and time of their convocation
• The valedictorian will write and deliver an address (no longer than five minutes) to fellow graduates, faculty, honoured guests, family and friends attending the convocation ceremony.
• This process applies for either a virtual or in-person ceremony, depending on the decision of the institution
• If you have any questions about this information package and nomination form, please use our contact form.

Eligible Nominators

• Any undergraduate or graduate student, or faculty member.
• Students may nominate themselves.
• If an Associate Dean Graduate Studies nominates a student for valedictorian, they will recuse themselves from the selection committee and provide an alternate from their faculty.

Selection Process

Selection committees are comprised of both faculty and students from the following areas of campus:

• All six Associate Deans Graduate (Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences) or faculty designate in case of conflict of interest,
• One to two members of the Graduate Student Association,
• The MSU Vice President Education, or designate.

The selection committee will focus on the following three areas academic excellence, personal characteristics and interpersonal skills, and communication skills, based on criteria set out by the Tri-Councils. Below is the breakdown for each section:

Academic Excellence

High academic achievement is required. Academic achievement includes both performance in any undergraduate or graduate level courses. As demonstrated by past academic results, transcripts, awards, and distinctions. Indicators of academic excellence:

• academic record
• scholarships and awards held
• duration of previous studies
• type of program and courses pursued
• course load
• relative standing (if available)

Personal characteristics and interpersonal skills

As demonstrated by the applicant’s past professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations. Indicators of personal characteristics and interpersonal skills:

• work experience
• leadership experience
• project management, including organizing conferences and meetings
• ability or potential to communicate complex concepts clearly and logically in written and oral formats
• involvement in academic life
• volunteerism/community outreach

Communication

Candidates selected from nominations based on academic excellence and personal characteristics an interpersonal skills will be invited to submit additional materials, including the full text of their speech, a one-paragraph abstract, and a two-minute video recording of any portion of their speech (full speech is a maximum of 5 minutes). The selection committee will review materials, and may submit follow up questions for nominees.