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

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

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.”

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.