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Posted on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 6:04 a.m.

If he's nervous, University of Michigan student commencement speaker doesn't show it

By Dave Gershman

Alex Marston has dreamt of becoming a speech writer for President Barack Obama.

On Saturday, he’ll get a once-in-a-lifetime chance on a stage in Michigan Stadium to show exactly what he can do in front of the president at the main commencement exercise of the University of Michigan.

And by the way, talk about pressure: 80,000 other graduates, family members, and spectators will be on hand, too.

042810_MARSTON_UM_STUDENT_S.JPG

Alex Marston will speak at Saturday's commencement.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

Martson, 22, a graduating senior, was selected as the student commencement speaker after submitting his speech and a recording of himself reading it. He was inspired to enter the competition after U-M announced Obama was the main speaker at graduation.

“I’m a big fan of Obama’s,” said Marston, an English major in the creative writing program from the Washington, D.C. suburb of Rockville, Md. He joined the cheering crowds on The Diag after Obama’s victory was assured on Election Night.

“I’ve followed him since he gave the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004,” Marston said. “I knew that if I at least didn’t give myself a chance and submit something, then I’d be kicking myself for years to come."

Marston will have 10 members of his family there for the event.

Marston was on stage in a high school production, but like most student speakers, he hasn’t had much experience in public speaking.

That’s probably just as well. What could prepare someone to stand in Michigan Stadium and address tens of thousands - not to mention the president and traveling White House press corps?

If he’s nervous, Marston doesn’t show it. U-M has connected him with a retired speech communication professor, Al Storey, who has assisted each student speaker since 1998.

In the past few weeks, the two cut one-third of the original speech to make it more succinct and squeeze it within the tight confines of Marston’s four-minute allotment. And they’ve worked on Marston’s delivery and reinforced his confidence.

“He’s an outstanding young man,” said Storey, who’ll give Marston some last-minute advice and call him after the ceremony.

“Just enjoy it and have a good time,” said Storey. “It’s a lot better to speak once to 80,000 people than to speak to each one individually to get your message across.”

Commencement 2010

Marston said he won’t make a political statement, but his speech focuses on one of Obama’s central campaign messages - the theme of change.

He compares the challenges Obama faced in realizing his campaign goals with the difficulties graduates face in figuring out what to do with the rest of their lives at a time of economic hardship.

If that’s not enough to inspire, Marston will touch on another example of a change agent from the Michigan family - head football coach Rich Rodriguez. And for the record, Marston supports Rodriguez and believes the coach deserves at least another season at the helm.

“This has been, and will be, a great experience,” said Marston, who will move back to the Beltway area after graduation and try to land his dream job in government as a political speech writer.

“Hopefully, this will open some doors for me,” he said.

Keith Taylor, Marston’s thesis advisor and director of the U-M undergraduate creative writing program, has high hopes for him.

“He’s the kind of person who we want there (in politics),” Taylor said. “He’s forthright, honest and serious. And he’s not full of himself.”

Taylor has read the speech and says it should inspire. Even Obama, he said, might learn a thing or two.

“You’ve got to learn from those 22-year-olds,” said Taylor. “I do, and Obama should too.”

Dave Gershman is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.

Comments

A2K

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.

Congrats Alex! I'd love to be in your shoes (but would likely pass-out from nerves).

Wolverine3660

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 12:21 p.m.

fjord- Obama wouldn't be able to hold his own against Charles Krauthammer, if you need an example.

Julia

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 11:25 a.m.

Congratulations, Alex! What a wonderful honor!

nuseph

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.

Good for him. Personally I don't think I would have wanted a grad speaker chosen based on academic merit. Do you have something interesting to say, and can you say it well? You don't have to have an A+ average to do that.

phdeez

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 11:11 a.m.

Here is a link to a story about how the student speaker was chosen. I think it was a fair process: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703648304575212153377107946.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_6

justanotherreader

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 9:37 a.m.

Wendy, I think that I indicated that by saying "at least in part"

proudparent

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.

Congrats to him for being chosen, and good luck! Congrats Grads!

wendy

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.

Grades aren't everything @justanotherreader

justanotherreader

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 8:41 a.m.

I don't know how the selection of students to provide a commencement speech is usually chosen. I did not even go to my college graduation but I would have thought that the selection process would have been on the basis of academic merit....at least in part. From this article, I see no indication one way or another that academic achievement was a consideration. What I do see is someone who is overtly an Obama supporter who submitted a speech. He was then chosen from a "competition" with other students. The criteria of which are not disclosed. So,in my opinion, the only take away from this article is: A graduating student who is outspoken about his support of Obama who is selected to give commencement speech and apparently he is not nervous. It hints of political partisanship. Could be a "D" student and a felon for all I know. I doubt it though. But you could not tell it by this piece.

Go Blue '02

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 8:16 a.m.

What a great opportunity, man.

Geoff Larcom

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 8:07 a.m.

Welcome to Dave Gershman, who covered University of Michigan for 5 years for now-defunct AA News, to the AA.com freelancing crew.

LT

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 7:34 a.m.

whom we want there?a great opportunity for him and.I hope, a great stepping stone.

A2JetGuy

Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 7:25 a.m.

Does U of M have classes on Teleprompting?