Spring Break
Seniors search for graduation speaker
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Ravi Kavasery, president of the Class of 2003, said that "the process [they] are using is no different from past years," and that they have experienced no unusual difficulties that past years haven't dealt with.
Hopkins hopes to attract a speaker that is well-known and also has a personal tie with Homewood and the Hopkins students. Kavasery said that the officers know the "importance of this ceremony for both its graduates and their families" and are hoping to find a speaker to please all.
In July 2002, a committee formed from the President's Office and the senior class officers began to compile a list of candidates who senior students felt would be good speakers and who the Hopkins students, faculty and Board of Trustees had contacts with.
The senior officers proceeded to rank this list in the order of their preference as well as by how difficult it would be to secure their attendance.
At this time, all possible candidates received letters from both President William R. Brody and Kavasery, explaining that Hopkins was looking for interested speakers. The Board of Trustees also began to call prospective speakers personally.
Since August, the senior class has been re-ranking their list of desired speakers as responses come in. Their revised list allows them to pursue the top choices that they have the best possibility of retaining.
Kavasery said, "The speaker process could use reform -- a little more organization at the top."
Kavasery added, however, that the President's Office has "been great with stepping up and helping provide contacts this year."
According to Kavasery, additional difficulty might arise because Hopkins does not give a stipend to its speaker. Instead, they provide hotel accommodations, travel expenses and basic amenities. Therefore, the speaker is not contractually obligated and could back out, leaving the committee with more problems. For this reason, the senior class is hoping their speaker will be personally connected to Hopkins, and that losing him or her will not be a concern.
The senior class is "optimistic about [having] a formal announcement [of the graduation speaker] in a couple of weeks," according to Kavasery.
The committee wants to wait until it is absolutely sure that the speaker is committed before announcing his or her name. In the past, controversy has arisen when an already broadcasted name had to be retracted after the speaker cancelled. Therefore, the committee will not publish the names of candidates who they are currently considering.
Kavasery assured the seniors, however, that "[the committee is] very happy so far with who [they] have been going after."