Max Marriner Speaks at Graduation

Posted by Franco Romero in Campus

For each year’s graduation ceremony, SFUAD selects one senior to give the class speech. This year’s speaker is soon-to-be Film School graduate Max Marriner. Students applied for the honor by submitting proposal forms, outlining how their speeches would be structured if they were selected. When Marriner got the notification that he had been chosen, he was equal parts surprised and excited.

“When I read the email, I screamed with joy,” Marriner said. “Twice.”

Max Mariner practices his speech skills.
Photo by Rebeca Gonzalez.

Marriner went on to say that he has been incredibly humbled by the experience. Students may recognize him as the face of ‘Reel Talk,’ a web series that Marriner is featured in, or as the host of Movie Night at The Screen, the thursday night movie club that shows recent blu ray releases. Those who have been exposed to Marriner in either capacity may have noticed his public speaking abilities. He said that he has always paid attention to the differences between public speaking and private speaking. Marriner noted, for instance, that there is a difference between having a conversation with one person and a conversation with many.

“I think it’s about how to connect with people,” Marriner said. “I feel like I can connect with people through public speaking because over the past five years, especially in school, I’ve learned to be more self aware. I’ve learned to say, ‘who am I in the eyes of these people?’ I’ve learned how to be like, ‘guys, I’m grateful you’re listening to me.’”

Marriner expressed that it is this sense of self-awareness that he hopes to bring to his speech, in addition to honesty.

“What I want to convey with my speech is the relationship that my class shared with the administration, but also just with the school in general,” Marriner said. “I believe, from my experience these last four years, that it wasn’t just a case of this university towering over its students, casting a huge shadow. It was really more of a partnership. We were both looking for ourselves.”

Max Mariner in front of the Rosemarie Shellaberger Tennis Center.
Photo by Rebeca Gonzalez

More than anything, Marriner said that he will attempt to approach his speech with humility and gratitude. While he is not used to speaking in front of so many people, Marriner also remarked that his excitement for this honor balances out his nerves.

“You can never really prepare for that moment,” Marriner said. “But you can do your best, and I will do my best. I’ll make you proud, guys!”

Marriner will be the third speaker at the commencement ceremony, following the welcoming speech, given by Interim president Mariah J. Puzziferro, and the invocation, given by Brother Donald Mouton. Also speaking will be the Honorary Degree Recipient Jack Loeffler, who will deliver the commencement address. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m., May 14 at the Rosemarie Shellaberger Tennis Center.