NEW BRUNSWICK -- Rutgers University students started a petition, launched a hashtag and even filmed a video to try to land Ellen DeGeneres as the 2017 commencement speaker.

But they forgot one critical step: Nominating the popular television personality through the official university process for selecting graduation speakers.

Since Degeneres was not one of the 24 names submitted to the university online during a four-week window last spring, she won't be speaking at the May 14 ceremony, university spokeswoman Karen Smith said.

"While we understand there has been a growing interest in Ellen DeGeneres being the speaker, Ms. DeGeneres was not nominated during the formal process," Smith said.

However, DeGeneres can be nominated for the 2018 ceremony, Smith added.

Rutgers has used different methods for selecting its honorary degree recipients and commencement speakers in recent years, and for 2017 began an extensive new process recommended in a University Senate report, Smith said.

After nominations were submitted, students and faculty reviewed the names, and the student and faculty representatives to the Board of Governors made recommendations, Smith said.

Rutgers expects to finalize its graduation speaker next month, Smith said.

In a video posted online this week, students made a plea to the television personality to speak at their commencement. DeGeneres inspires students to be leaders, to be kind and to make a change, they said in the 75-second video.

"We want you Ellen," the students said, "to welcome us into the real world."

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.