Gustavus Adolphus College senior Tasha Carlson has been chosen by a committee of faculty, staff, and students to speak at the College’s commencement ceremony Sunday, May 31. Carlson will graduate Sunday with a degree in communication studies.
“I’m incredibly honored to represent the student body as this year’s commencement speaker,” Carlson said. “The pool of individuals that applied was extremely impressive — many of whom I have personal relationships with and hold in high respect. I hope to inspire the student body to take what they have learned at Gustavus and implement it on their path after they leave the hill.”
Carlson, who is originally from Apple Valley, Minn., was a four-year member of the Gustavus forensics team. During Carlson’s four years at Gustavus, the team won two Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association State Championships and finished with a top 20 national ranking each of the past three years. Carlson also represented the state of Minnesota at the 2009 Interstate Oratorical Association National Contest — the oldest speaking competition in the country — in Oxford, Miss.
Carlson was also heavily involved in the theatre and dance program during her four years. An Evelyn C. Anderson Theatre/Dance Scholar, Carlson participated in four main-stage productions during her college career. In addition, Carlson served as a Gustie Greeter for two years, a reporter for GAC-TV, a regular columnist for the College’s student newspaper, The Gustavian Weekly, and as treasurer of the Communication Studies Board.
Carlson was one of 20 seniors interviewed, and one of seven finalists who presented in front of the selection committee to deliver this year’s commencement address.
“Gustavus prides itself on offering a college education that focuses on student leadership and service,” said Barb Larson-Taylor, assistant to the President for special projects and a member of the commencement speaker selection committee. “Therefore, in recent years, the College has chosen to feature a student as the keynote speaker at its commencement exercises.”
Larson-Taylor continued by saying “The selection committee was looking for a student engaged in campus life, who could represent the excellence of a Gustavus education, and someone who could deliver a dynamic speech that would resonate with the student body. The committee is confident that Tasha is an excellent choice.”
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