The University defied tradition and picked two student Commencement speakers for the University-wide ceremony on Sunday.

Choosing two students to speak is a rare occurrence and is happening for only the second time, said University Marshal Jill Kasle, a member of the student speaker selection panel. The first was in 2005.

Kasle said the panel simply could not choose between senior Sara Ray and graduate student Christine Handy Collins.

“We picked two because it was one of those things where we had two top candidates,” Kasle said. “They were both so terrific, they were both so good and they were both so different.”

She said the two speakers offer different life experiences, which the panel felt would capture different parts of the audience.

“They are quite different in terms of age, life experience, perspective – and what have you,” Kasle said.

The process for becoming student speaker is multi-tiered, with students first applying through their respective school and then being nominated to appear before a selection panel featuring Kasle and other administrators.