Student Orations Competition
The Orations Competition is among the oldest and most treasured traditions associated with Harvard's Commencement.
Three students are chosen by a panel of judges to deliver, from memory, an address to the assembly of approximately 32,000, which includes members of the governing boards, honorary degree recipients, faculty, parents, alumni and of course: the graduates themselves.
About the orations
- The first of these orations is delivered in Latin by a graduating senior from the College;
- The second, in English, is also delivered by a graduating senior from the College; and
- The third is delivered by a degree candidate from the University’s graduate or professional Schools.
Being selected as one of the three orators is regarded as one of the highest honors a student can achieve. While these orations originally involved a student defending their thesis, the range of topics has since expanded to reflect a variety of perspectives and themes related to Harvard and the global community.
Eligibility
Eligible participants are those graduating before the next Commencement, or those who completed their degree in November, February or March without attending a prior ceremony. Each individual may compete for one of the three addresses only once.
Submissions
Those selected receive a cash prize of $1,500.
Extensive support, including speech coaching and multiple opportunities to rehearse, are offered as part of the preparation for participation in this historic Harvard event.
- Submissions must be made using the templates below. Do not send an essay or thesis that does not contain the cover sheet found in the template.
- Extensions are not possible. If you wish to have your address considered, prepare early and be ready to make your submission by or before the deadline. Should your piece be accepted, you will have time to share a revised draft in advance of the auditions.
- Latin submissions should include an English translation at the end of the address. Should the address be chosen for audition, this will be delivered only in Latin.
For some helpful resources on crafting your speech, download the packet on public speaking.
Key Orations Events (2026)
- Thursday, 3/5 @ 4-5 PM: Information Session (Harvard Yard, Emerson Hall, Room 105 recording will be posted following)
- Monday, 3/9 @ 4-5 PM: Latin Information Session (Harvard Yard, Boylston Hall, Fong Auditorium)
- Friday, 3/27 Deadline to submit (late submissions will not be accepted)
- Tuesday, 4/14 @ 4 -6:30 PM: Preliminary Auditions (Harvard Yard, location TBD)
- Tuesday, 4/21 @ 4-5 PM: Final auditions (Harvard Yard, location TBD)
Please submit only if you can be available to audition in person on 4/14 and 4/21. Auditions will be held in Harvard Yard.
Watch the 2025 Orations Information Session Recording
Watch the 2026 Orations Information Session Recording
This year's Information Session will be held on Thursday, March 5 at 4 PM in Harvard Yard. We encourage any degree candidates interested in participating to attend. Following the session, the recording will be posted here.
Student Speech Competition: 2026
Once your speech is prepared, and in the format required (please see notes within each template), please click below to submit. We encourage those participating to review their work carefully before submitting. Additionally, please note that late submissions of any kind will not be accepted so plan accordingly. Deadline to submit is Friday 3/27/2026. NOTE: the submission link will not be active until early March, 2026.
Recent Harvard Commencement Orators
2025
Latin Undergraduate: Aidan Robert Scully
English Undergraduate: Thor Reimann
English Graduate: Yurong "Luanna" Jiang
2024
Latin Undergraduate: Blake Lopez
English Undergraduate: Shruthi Kumar
English Graduate: Robert L. Clinton IV
2023
Latin Undergraduate: Josiah Ethan Meadows
English Undergraduate: Pallas Chou
English Graduate: Vic Hogg
2022
Latin Undergraduate: Benjamin Porteous
English Undergraduate: Noah Harris
English Graduate: Lindsay Sanwald
2021
Latin Undergraduate: Jordan Bliss Perry
English Undergraduate: Silvana Gómez
English Graduate: Vincent H. Bish Jr.
2020 and 2020-2021
Latin Undergraduate: Caroline Engelmayer
English Undergraduate: Michael J. Phillips
English Graduate: Sana Roof
2019
Latin Undergraduate: Kabir Kyle Gandhi
English Undergraduate: Genesis Noelia De Los Santos Fragoso
English Graduate: Lucila Takjerad
2018
Latin Undergraduate: Phoebe Lakin
English Undergraduate: Christopher Egi
English Graduate: Pete Davis
2017
Latin Undergraduate: Jessica Rachael Glueck
English Undergraduate: Auguste Roc
English Graduate: Walter Smelt III
2016
Latin Undergraduate: Anne Power
English Undergraduate: Joshuah Campbell
English Graduate: Jiang He