Who Will Be the 2016 Commencement Speaker?

Surprises and celebrations were had at last year’s Senior Breakfast. Photo by Cydney Scott

The annual Senior Breakfast is this morning, and about 2,500 members of the Class of 2016 will gather in the George Sherman Union Metcalf Ballroom at 10 a.m. to eat, celebrate, and discover who will be this year’s Commencement speaker.

The breakfast marks the official kickoff of Commencement festivities, which culminate in the all-University ceremony Sunday, May 15, at Nickerson Field. The morning will start with a meal of roasted tomato and fontina egg strata, duck-fat roasted potatoes with rosemary salt, chicken and apple sausage, seasonal fruits and berries, cranberry and blueberry scones, and corn and blueberry muffins. There will also be vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and kosher options available.

Rev. Robert Hill, dean of Marsh Chapel, will offer a prayer before the hungry seniors dig in, and emcee Kenneth Elmore (SED’87), associate provost and dean of students, will welcome students to the stage to give an overview of the Senior Week lineup and an update on the Class Gift Campaign.

Lindsay Roth, Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) associate director of annual giving, says that more than 2,300 students have already donated to the Class Gift, which allows students to direct their donation to a specific program, club, or project on campus that has special significance for them. The goal is to break the record of 2,600 donors set by last year’s class. If the seniors succeed, DAR will throw a free beach party barbecue for them May 12.

Those seniors who donate are eligible for various special benefits. With a gift of any amount comes VIP access to Class Gift–sponsored events, or one free drink ticket, or a commemorative photo frame. Those who donate at least $20.16 can request that their donation honor a specific professor, mentor, or classmate, and those honorees will receive a handwritten note and a gift in June. Seniors giving at the leadership level ($50 or more or a five-year giving pledge to BU) can submit photos for a slideshow and record a taped thank-you message to their parents, professors, or friends that will air between the band performance and announcements at the main ceremony May 15.

Elmore will also present several student awards, including the Commitment to Service and Community Service awards, and introduce the Scarlet Key Society inductees. Alumni speaker D. A. Whatley (Questrom’15) will also say a few words.

Finally, President Robert A. Brown will take to the stage to announce this year’s Commencement speaker, honorary degree recipients, Baccalaureate and student speakers, and winners of the University’s highest teaching honors, the Metcalf Cup and Prize and the Metcalf Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Senior Breakfast is at 10 a.m. today, May 2, in the George Sherman Union Metcalf Ballroom, with overflow seating available throughout the facility.

Check back on BU Today this afternoon for an updated article on Senior Breakfast, with the names of the Commencement speaker, honorary degree recipients, Baccalaureate and student speakers, and Metcalf Cup and Prize and Metcalf Award winners.

Seniors can donate to the Class Gift here, with cash, a credit card, or a text to pledge.

Find more information about Commencement on the Commencement website.