Scott and Dallaire Selected as Commencement Student Speakers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2016) — In what has become a University of Kentucky Commencement tradition, two students have been selected to serve as speakers for the two undergraduate ceremonies Sunday, May 8.

Jared Scott will speak at the 9 a.m. ceremony and Jackie Dallaire will speak at the 2 p.m. ceremony. Scott and Dallaire were selected among several candidates by UK President Eli Capilouto to represent the May 2016 undergraduate class.

Scott, from Saginaw, Michigan, is graduating with a degree in finance from the Gatton College of Business and Economics. 

During his time at UK, Scott participated in UK Alternative Spring Break, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, UK Fusion as a site leader, Martin Luther King Day of Service in Lexington, Every National Campus Ministry, UK Venture Studio Boot Camp Team, the National Association of Black Accountants, AMSTEMM, and undergraduate research. He also served as a liasion for the UK Student Government Association and studied abroad in the Czech Republic.

“I had such a great experience in college and I just thought addressing my classmates would be the perfect end to my college career,” Scott said. “The people I met here, without a doubt, is what I love most about UK. It is a perfect mixture of the South, North and Midwest. No matter where you are from, you don’t feel too far from home. Wherever we go in life after college as Wildcats, we are a diverse network for each other. We must keep persevering and enduring in all our endeavors.”

Dallaire, from Arlington, Virginia, is graduating with a degree in social work. She is a four-year member of the UK Women’s Soccer Team, making the SEC Academic Honor Roll and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA. Through the College of Social Work, Dallaire has interned at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department and The Learning Center.

“When I sat down to write my speech, I found that I have a lot to say. It isn’t often a platform like this comes around, and I think it is an incredible opportunity to represent myself, the College of Social Work, and the University of Kentucky,” Dallaire said. “I think when you have been grinding away at a degree for four long years, you can sometimes lose perspective. Then all of a sudden you are at graduation, with a diploma — it can feel kind of surreal! I hope that my fellow graduates remember all of the amazing things they can do with their degree after they hear my speech, and understand how badly the world needs them to use that education to make a positive impact."

The May 2016 Commencement Ceremonies will be held Sunday, May 8, in Rupp Arena. The Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies will take place at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., followed by the Graduate and Professional Ceremony at 7 p.m. The 9 a.m. ceremony will feature the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; the Gatton College of Business and Economics; the College of Education; the College of Engineering; and the College of Nursing. The 2 p.m. ceremony will feature the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Communication and Information; the College of Design; the College of Fine Arts; the College of Health Sciences; and the College of Social Work. 

More than 2,400 undergraduates and approximately 500 graduate and professional students are expected to participate, marking the largest Commencement in UK's history. Overall, more than 3,200 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate and professional degree candidates had their degrees approved by the UK Board of Trustees.   

All three ceremonies will be live streamed on UKNow.

For more information about the May 2016 Commencement Ceremonies, visit www.uky.edu/Commencement. 

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, visit uky.edu/uk4ky. #uky4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, 859-257-5343; jenny.wells@uky.edu