Editing Commencement speech (section)

{{Short description|Speech given to graduating students}}
{{Globalize|date=April 2024|Reason=Is this term used elsewhere than in the US?}}
[[File:Biden giving a commencement speech.jpg|thumb|335x335px|Then-Vice President [[Joe Biden]] delivering a commencement speech to the graduating class of 2015 at [[Yale University]]]]
[[Image:UNHGrad.jpg|thumb|right|The [[University of New Hampshire]] commencement in 2007, at which [[George H. W. Bush]] and [[Bill Clinton]] spoke|226x226px]]

In the United States, a '''commencement speech''' or '''commencement address''' is a speech given to [[graduation|graduating]] students, generally at a [[university]], although the term is also used for [[secondary education]] institutions and in similar institutions around the world.

The '''commencement''' is a ceremony in which degrees or diplomas are conferred upon graduating students. A commencement speech is typically given by a notable figure in the community or a graduating student. The person giving such a speech is known as a '''commencement speaker'''. Very commonly, colleges or universities will invite politicians, important citizens, or other noted speakers to come and address the graduating class.

A student speaker may deliver remarks either in lieu or in conjunction with a notable outside figure. Student commencement speakers are often [[valedictorian]]s or may otherwise be elected by their peers to represent the student body.

Despite meaning "beginning", ''commencement'' may be mistaken to mean "ending" due to its association with the end of one's studies. Its usage originated with students finishing their studies and being awarded a degree, thus commencing as bachelors or masters in a subject and enjoying new privileges within academia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/commencement|title=commencement (n.)|last=Online etymology dictionary|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref>