Graduating senior Colin Fanning and Vice President Joe Biden have something in common. They’ll both be speaking to 25,000 people in the Carrier Dome Sunday at the Syracuse University and State University of New York College of Environment Science and Forestry’s commencement ceremony.

Fanning, a University Scholar and interior design major, is one of a number of students involved in this year’s commencement, and will serve as the student speaker for the ceremony. His speech was chosen out of three by the 12 other University Scholars this semester.

Fanning said the prospect of speaking in front of 25,000 people and the vice president made for an intimidating opportunity but also one that he said he couldn’t pass up.

‘Honestly, the idea scared the crap out of me,’ he said.

Fanning wouldn’t reveal too much about his speech other than its central message: play.

‘I just kind of thought about what are some of my central beliefs. What do I think is important for people to remember as they’re going out to the world? It’s a little funny, a little poignant at times,’ he said.

Brian Spendley and Carissa Matthews are the two class marshals for the class of 2009. They will lead the opening procession of their peers, carrying a SU banner.

‘It’s an incredible honor to be able to lead my graduating class into graduation,’ Spendley said. ‘I just hope I don’t trip.’

Matthews described her job as ‘a lot of flag passing.’ She and Spendley receive flags from the individual college marshals and then bring them to the stage.

Matthews, who served on the search committee for the commencement speaker, said she appreciates the lengths the university is taking to plan for the vice president. She said she’s excited to represent SU on Sunday. ‘It’s very humbling because everyone at the school has done such amazing things,’ Matthews said. ‘They’ve accomplished so much, so the idea that I can lead us all to the culmination of our college career is awe-inspiring.’

jmterrus@syr.edu

Published on May 19, 2009 at 12:00 pm