Commencement speaker selected

By Shannon Curley
Collegian Staff
April 5, 2006

With graduation looming, many La Salle seniors are anticipate a promising, if not relaxing, future. Some are excited for no more undergraduate classes. Others will particularly enjoy receiving envelopes filled with money. All will reflect upon their college experience with a commencement speech from Ben Rosehart.

Rosehart, a communication major, said he knew he wanted to write a commencement speech after attending last year’s graduation ceremony as a representative from the La Salle Ambassadors.

“I got to be there last year, and after talking to some people who thought it would be a good idea, I decided to go for it,” he said.

An active student on campus, Rosehart has been involved in many organizations since his freshman year. His activities include hosting for SportsTalk Philadelphia on La Salle 56 and acting as a station manger for WEXP. He writes for the Collegian’s Sports and Commentary sections. Rosehart is a lector and plays the violin with the University Ministry and Service. He is also a member of C.A.R.E.

Rosehart’s speech was chosen from among 10 submissions. The speeches were reviewed by a screening committee, which included representatives from the Student Government Association, the Dean of Students office, the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies, the

Multicultural Center and University Communications. Each of the academic schools also sent a representative.

After the committee reviewed the submissions, it choses seven to audition. The finalists auditioned on March 30 before a panel of judges and were notified of the results on Friday.

Assistant Dean of Students Anna Allen said that the committee was looking for a “combination of the strongest speech and the strongest presentation.”

Rosehart said that although he had been confident that he would be one of the finalists, he was excited to be chosen.

“The other finalists have been really supportive,” he said, adding that many have contacted him to wish him well.

La Salle is one of the only universities across the country that traditionally centers its commencement ceremonies around a student speaker.

“I think it really speaks quite well as to what La Salle is all about, that the students are the center of our work here,” Allen said. She thinks it is critical that a student speaks to his or her peers on their graduation day, and Rosehart agrees.

“I’m going to be as inclusive as possible,” he said. “This day is about everyone.”

Although Rosehart’s will be the key speech of the day, the University has also invited two Honorary Degree recipients to speak. The two are Timothy O’Toole Esq., CBE and Buntzie Ellis Churchill.

O’Toole is a 1977 graduate of La Salle. He is now the Managing Director of the London Underground.

Churchill graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and is now the President of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.

In upcoming weeks, Rosehart will meet with a coach to polish his speech.

Allen said that she hopes future graduates realize that someday it could be them up there.

“The one thing that I would encourage of students in the years to come is: don’t leave the speech writing up to somebody else,” she said. “If you have something to say, submit a speech.”

curleys1@lasalle.edu