salutatorian

[ suh-loo-tuh-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr- ]

/ səˌlu təˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr- /

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noun

(in some U.S. schools and colleges) the student ranking second highest in the graduating class, who delivers the salutatory at commencement.

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Origin of salutatorian

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; salutatory + -an

INSIDER TIP: Head downtown for salutatorian Fusion Taco, another food truck turned brick-and-mortar.
Foodie Heaven in Houston|Michele Meyer|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A scholar-athlete, he was salutatorian in his graduating class.
Peyton Manning Vs. Richard Sherman|Allen Barra|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Bettie, with a 97.19 average, was beat out by .14 points, and had to settle for Salutatorian status.
‘Bettie Page Reveals All,’ A Close-Up Look at the Pinup Goddess and Sexual Icon|Marlow Stern|November 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
All the salutatorian had to do was to sit still and hear what the other speakers had to say and feel good.
Princeton Stories|Jesse Lynch Williams

May 29, 1884, he graduated from the Atlanta Baptist College as salutatorian.
Twentieth Century Negro Literature|Various