Sam Trieber Named Class of 2024 Undergraduate Student Commencement Speaker

BRISTOL, R.I. – Selected as the Undergraduate Student Commencement Speaker, senior Sam Trieber, a Criminal Justice major and double minor in History and Psychology from Boston, said he plans to use humor in his speech as he brings some closure to his peers’ undergraduate journeys during the May 17 Commencement ceremony. 

After completing his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice this past December, Trieber is on track to receive his M.S. in Criminal Justice by December 2024 through RWU's 4+1 program and said he plans to pursue a career in law enforcement or social work. Beyond the classroom, Trieber served as treasurer of the Art Club and worked part-time as a Community Service Officer for the Tiverton Police Department in Rhode Island.

We interviewed Trieber last month about his academic experiences at RWU and his plans for the future. [Read the prior story to hear Trieber discuss his research project analyzing inmates’ experiences and his reflections on Criminal Justice, History and Psychology making a powerful combination of studies.]

Here, he shares his thoughts on being named this year’s Undergraduate Student Commencement Speaker and advice for incoming students.

Q: How does it feel to be chosen as the Undergraduate Student Commencement Speaker?

Trieber: I'm excited for it. I'm excited to give my peers and my friends some catharsis (through humor) to the end of their undergraduate careers. 

Q: What was your creative process for writing your speech?  

Trieber: When writing the speech I thought of what it would be like if I was in the audience. What would I want to hear from someone giving a speech? I avoided stuff that has been talked about before, and I really want to try to emotionally connect with people, especially through my use of humor. I like dry jokes or jokes that you have to think about for a second. And so that's really what I wanted to do. If I were a part of the audience listening, I thought, would I be laughing at this person, would I be following along for the whole thing, would I be listening, or just dozing off? I want to emotionally connect to people, make it interesting, and make it something I would want to hear.

Q: In what ways did RWU help you grow?  

Trieber: In middle and high school, I got the basics of academics down, and coming to university you have to still use those skills, but you don't really develop outside of the sphere of a classroom. I think RWU did a very good job of rounding me out as a person – through attending clubs, meeting new people, understanding how to be on a team, and interacting with people who are working together toward a higher goal, organization, or bureaucracy. The experiences here really helped me to grow a diverse fellowship. It's about expanding your bubble to meet people from many different backgrounds and understanding and immersing yourself in many cultures. RWU helped me think not just about what I can do in the classroom, but how as a citizen, I can contribute to society. How can I be a good person?

Q: What advice would you give to incoming students?

Trieber: My advice would be to enjoy the environment you're in. If you've chosen Roger, you've probably chosen it for a reason. It’s a small town, but a lot of people don't realize how much there is to explore in Rhode Island. Go to small towns, explore, and connect with people. Connect to your environment and realize the opportunities that Roger will provide. You're entering the real world, and so, having the ability to round yourself out and not just participate in a classroom but participate in the world in general – whether that's voting, working, getting an internship – that will really benefit your future. There are a lot of opportunities that people don't take advantage of. Take advantage of the area and of the opportunities presented by RWU that help you to develop your character and who you are as a person – to understand not only the world around you better but to understand yourself, what you like to do, and what you have a passion for.