Student Graduation Speakers Selected

They probably won't announce any earthshattering plans for the shape of a new Europe, but then again, at least they'll be speaking English.

Or some of them will, anyway.

Two undergraduates--Joel L. Shin '90 and Noam Bramson '90--along with one student from the School of Public Health--Mary Black--will deliver this year's Latin, English and Graduate orations at the June 7 Commencement ceremonies, a member of a Commencement planning committee said yesterday.

The committee, headed by Expository Writing Director Richard Marius, selected the speakers after a two evening competition that began on April 27, in which each candidate delivered an original five-minute address.

Of the 42 original entrants, 10 advanced to the second evening of competition, in which they gave the same speeches again.

According to Bramson, the committee's only requirement was that the speakers avoid "flowery language."

Although Bramson said that he could not summarize the content of his speech in one sentence, he said that it followed a "basic" commencement theme--to "ask people to go out and do good things."

"I'm going to try and say it so that people will remember," Bramson said.

Bramson also said that he was "very, very happy" about his selection. He added that his parents were excited, as well.

"I realize that most people don't really listen and that it's a minor part [of the the ceremony], but I think it's a great opportunity," said Bramson, although he added he was "sure I'll be nervous" about speaking to 20,000 people completely from memory.

Neither Black nor Shin could be reached for comment yesterday.