Student speakers for commencement selected

Ellyn Getz speaking for undergraduates, Enrique Levin for grad students

Ellyn Getz is the undergraduate commencement speaker.

Enrique Levin is the graduate student speaker.

Undergraduate Ellyn Getz and graduate student Enrique Levin have been chosen to give the student addresses at Brandeis’ 62nd commencement, on Sunday, May 19.

Getz, a double major in business and theater arts, is also an undergraduate department representative for theater arts and a Roosevelt Fellow.  

“I couldn’t be happier with my decision to attend Brandeis,” said Getz. “I have learned so much from the community around me, and I feel so fortunate to study here. It will be a huge honor to congratulate the graduating class and to speak on behalf of its enthusiasm and strong sense of leadership.”

Levin is an International Business School MBA student from Mexico who grew up in a very diverse household -- with a Brazilian mother with Russian roots and a Mexican/Guatemalan father with Polish roots – and received an American education in a Jewish environment.

He was educational program coordinator for the Graduate Student Association, founder of the Graduate Doers Club and a member of the ’DEIS Impact organizing committee. 

“I will focus my speech on the great contributions graduate students make to this institution,” said Levin. “I would like to share my experience at Brandeis, talk to my graduating peers about what is to come, and share some questions and concerns about the future.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Levin created his first startup at age 15 and launched his first successful business at age 19. He has successfully launched three startups so far. 

Undergraduate seniors who were interested in speaking at the event submitted their speeches by the end of February to the Office of the Dean of Student Life. A total of 28 applicants sent in speeches.

A committee made up of four seniors, three faculty and one staff member read the submissions without knowing the identities of the writers and selected the top 10, which were made available online for the senior class to read and vote on. The voting process then narrowed the number of entries to five. 

Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer and the committee listened to the finalists present their speeches last Thursday, and recommended one for President Fred Lawrence’s approval. 

Levin was selected by the executive officers of the Graduate Students Association.