Gerard Basalla, a strategic communication and political science undergraduate student, will be the first student to speak at commencement in The Ohio State University's history. 

Basalla is a former Undergraduate Student Government (USG) president and plans to bring the student voice to commencement by talking about what it truly means to be a Buckeye. 

"The hope is that I get to be that voice for students, and the things that I say are things that most people believe," Basalla said. "I can't encompass everyone's experience, but I can surely try."

In addition to Basalla's speech, Abigail Wexner will give the Spring Commencement address on May 7.