With just three weeks remaining before Spring Commencement, the University has yet to announce this year's keynote speaker.
"Our general practice is not to announce the commencement speaker or honorary recipients until April," said Vice President for University Relations Walter Harrison. "Usually we try to do it before the April regents meeting."
This month's meeting of the University Board of Regents is scheduled to take place April 18 and 19.
But with graduation right around the corner, some seniors say they are curious about who will be speaking.
"It's my graduation and I'd like to know ahead of time, especially since I have family coming in from out of town," said LSA senior Jane Penniman. "The ceremony is so impersonal, therefore the speaker is very important."
LSA senior Jeffrey Pogany said it did not make a difference to him when the speaker is announced.
"I have no preference on who they pick," Pogany said. "Anyone influential in history ... even (University President) Lee Bollinger."
Regent Shirley McFee (R-Battle Creek) said she does not know who the commencement speaker is, but anticipates it to be a dynamic one.
"I know (the administration) is seeking someone who is going to be exciting and acceptable to the students," McFee said. "When it happens, it happens."
Harrison said an honorary degree committee comprised of faculty, administrators, students and alumni composes a list of people they feel could receive an honorary degree.
The list of nominees are subject to approval by the University Board of Regents, which then forwards the list to the president to select a speaker from the list.
"Traditionally, the speaker has been someone with a distinguished career worthy of an honorary degree," Harrison said. "It helps to have some previous connection to the University, but that is not the requirement."
Michigan Student Assembly President Michael Nagrant said the speaker should be someone who represents success.
"It should be someone who would bridge a gap between students and real life," Nagrant said. "Someone who represents unconventional success."
Harrison said anywhere from three to six people receive honorary degrees each year.
Previous commencement speakers include Spelman College President Johnnetta Cole, President George Bush, novelist and Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.