Colonel William A. Phillips

Salutatorian is an academic title given in Armenia, the Philippines and the United States to the second-highest-ranked graduate of the entire graduating class of a specific discipline. Only the valedictorian is ranked higher. This honor is traditionally based on grade point average (GPA) and number of credits taken, but consideration may also be given to other factors such as co-curricular and extracurricular activities. The title comes from the salutatorian's traditional role as the first speaker at a graduation ceremony, delivering the salutation (where the valedictorian, on the other hand, speaks last, delivering the valediction). In a high school setting, a salutatorian may also be asked to speak about the current graduating class or to deliver an invocation or benediction. In some instances, the salutatorian may even deliver an introduction for the valedictorian. The general themes of a salutation and valediction are usually of growth, outlook towards the future, and thankfulness.[1][2][3]

Latin salutatorian

At the universities of Princeton and Harvard a Latin orator, usually a classics major, is chosen for his or her ability to write and deliver a speech to the audience in that language. At Princeton, this speaker is known as the "Latin salutatorian"; at Harvard the Latin oration, though not called a "salutatory" address as such, occurs first among the three student orations, and fulfills the traditional function of salutation. These traditions date from the earliest years of the universities, when all graduates were expected to have attained proficiency in the "Learned Languages," i.e., Latin and Greek.[4]

Awards

Salutatorians are usually awarded silver medals, with valedictorians receiving the gold medal during the graduation ceremony.

Notable salutatorians in the U.S.

See also

References

  1. ^ John-Waller (11 January 2016). "The latest Boston, local and national news". Boston.com. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  2. ^ "10 Salutatorian Speech Ideas Multi-Functional • My Speech Class". Speech-topics-help.com. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Example of a Valedictorian Speech". Best-speech-topics.com. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  4. ^ Charter of the College of New Jersey (1746).
  5. ^ "Illinois State Society of Washington, DC". Illinois State Society of Washington, DC. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Michelle Obama, Salutatorian, Graduation Pose at Whitney Young High School in Chicago (1981) and Michelle Obama Today". Snakkle.com. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Biography - Bettie Page". Bettie Page. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Darkwaterbearer - Life is like a box of chocolates". 21 October 2012. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Robin Roberts Goes Back Home". ABC News. 6 January 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  10. ^ "The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Erich W. Segal". Archived from the original on 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  11. ^ "Carrie Underwood - Pictures, Rumors Carrie Underwood from American Idol Updated". Archived from the original on 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  12. ^ Sparling, Hannah (2017-06-19). "Otto Warmbier, imprisoned in North Korea, dies in U.S." The Cincinnati Enquirer at USA Today. Retrieved 2017-06-20. "There, in Wyoming, Ohio, Otto Warmbier was a standout soccer player and a 2013 salutatorian at Wyoming High School, his alma mater."