The Power of Pronunciation: Why Name Announcements Matter
Graduation is more than just a ceremony; it’s a celebration of hard work and achievement. For students, hearing their names pronounced correctly as they cross the stage is a moment of validation. As a company dedicated to enhancing the graduation experience, we recently conducted a survey to better understand how name pronunciation impacts graduates and what planners can do to get it right. The findings offer valuable insights for anyone involved in planning these ceremonies.
The Problem: Mispronunciation at Formal Events
Over half (57.7%) of survey respondents reported their names had been mispronounced at formal events. For students, this can sour what should be a joyful occasion. Mispronunciations not only feel personal but can also detract from the celebratory atmosphere, leaving lasting impressions on graduates and their families.
Why It Matters: The Student Perspective
The survey revealed that 69% of respondents rate correct name pronunciation at graduation as highly important (scores of 4 or 5 on a scale).
This priority is even more pronounced among ethnic groups like Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern/North African individuals, with 100% and 93% respectively emphasizing its importance. Clearly, this isn’t just a preference—it’s a necessity for an inclusive and respectful ceremony.
Beyond that, 65% of respondents found pre-recorded name announcements helpful during registration. This simple addition can build confidence, ensuring correct pronunciations and giving students peace of mind before their big moment.
Tassel’s Solution: Recorded Name Announcements
Tassel is revolutionizing the graduation experience by providing recorded name announcements. With over 2 million names already recorded, our platform has the largest database of name phonetics that continues to grow as we add to it and ensures every student's name is pre-recorded and announced accurately. Whether you are using our AI pre-recorded name announcements, or using your own live reader at your event, these features shore up any risk of mispronunciation or eliminate guesswork for speakers.
Accurate name pronunciation is more than logistics; it’s a message of respect and inclusion. By prioritizing this, Tassel is helping schools create seamless, stress-free graduations that leave lasting positive impressions.
The Bigger Picture: Engagement and Accessibility
Graduations are significant not just for students but for schools too. Studies show that 33% of Middle Eastern/North African respondents might avoid graduation if mispronunciation is likely, underlining the link between name accuracy and attendance.
By addressing this issue, schools can foster stronger alumni connections and higher participation, as shown in another recent study, we found that participation in graduation is highly correlated to future alumni engagement. Our findings show that students who attend their commencement are:
- 3.8x more likely to feel "strongly" connected to the school
- 2.6x more likely to join the alumni association
- 2.2x more likely to attend events on campus after graduation
- 2.8x more likely to have already made a donation to the school
- 3.3x more likely to make a donation in the next 10 years
Tassel’s recorded name announcements aren’t just about avoiding errors—they empower graduates to take an active role in shaping their moment. By providing the opportunity to ensure their names are pronounced correctly, students feel seen, valued, and truly celebrated, making the graduation experience more meaningful for everyone.
Delivering the Perfect Moment
At Tassel, we believe every student deserves their perfect moment.
By combining innovative tools with a commitment to inclusivity, we help schools create ceremonies that celebrate individuality while bringing communities together. Mispronunciations don't have to be part of that story anymore. Let’s make graduation a celebration that every student remembers with pride.
Sources:
Tassel. (2025, January 21). Survey of 550 U.S. college students on graduation experiences and preferences. Conducted via Prolific. Unpublished raw data.
Tassel. (2024, January 31). Survey of 273 U.S. college graduates on graduation participation and alumni engagement. Survey conducted via SurveyMonkey. Unpublished raw data.