Outstanding students will take the podium at Stetson Commencement.

At Stetson University, the focus has always been on students and their education journey. At the 2016 Commencement Ceremony on May 7, that commitment remains the same.

Speeches will be given by students — outstanding achievers — to their graduating classmates. Although typically seen elsewhere at university commencements, there will be no celebrities, politicians or well-known business people.

Getting selected to speak was a journey itself. The university held its annual nomination process, allowing faculty and peers to submit names of potential student speakers. An ensuing list of students was developed with those names sent to a Stetson committee of faculty, as well as members of student government and Campus Life and Student Success. Students making the cut then met with the committee, which narrowed the candidates to a handful. Those final few were asked to make a presentation of five minutes or less on “Why I should be the commencement speaker.”

Finally, two students were invited to be this year’s commencement speakers: Jordan Alexandria Cockfield and Daniel Humphrey.

Jordan Alexandria Cockfield

Jordan Alexandria Cockfield is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in Spanish.

She was born in Lake Worth, Fla., and arrived at Stetson as a first-year sophomore. Within the first weeks of that first year, Jordan campaigned and became a hall senator for the Student Government Association. Through her hard work and expanding interests, she became the SGA director of Green Bikes and, later, the committee chair of campus life. As a junior, Jordan began active membership in the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, where she eventually served as president of her associate class and chair of risk management, judicial affairs and fraternity rituals.

In addition, Jordan has been a high academic achiever, gaining membership in the biology honors society, Beta Beta Beta, the national collegiate honor societies Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association for Cancer Research.

Since her first semester, Jordan has investigated the anti-cancer effects that flaxseed has on lung cancer cells with her mentor, Dr. Roslyn Crowder, assistant professor of biology. With her findings, Jordan was able to present at local and state conferences, participate in a summer research program, and win an award at a national conference.

Her plan after graduation is to pursue a Ph.D. in cancer biology at the University of Notre Dame, with hopes of making a positive impact in the cancer field.

Daniel Humphrey

Daniel Humphrey is graduating with a double-major bachelor’s degree in political science and economics with a minor in Spanish.

Originally from Reading, Ohio, Daniel was the valedictorian of his graduating class at Reading Junior/Senior High School in 2012. While in high school, Daniel founded a chapter of a nonprofit that supported students in Uganda. He was also the captain of his soccer and mock trial teams.

It was this leadership and achievement that qualified Daniel to receive the J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship at Stetson. Following his arrival, Daniel continued to be a leader in the classroom and the community. He is founder of the Stetson University Undergraduate Mock Trial Program, a national award winner. Daniel also served his fraternity, Sigma Nu, at both the local and national levels. He was one of four collegiate members nationwide to be appointed to the board of directors of Sigma Nu.

Daniel has spent summers at internships in government at the local level including the Clermont County Prosecutors Office (OH), as well as at the federal level with the office of U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). In addition, he is an initiate of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honors society.

Daniel plans to attend law school with hopes of a legal career before entering public service.