“Speak Off” continues to challenge students

FOR RELEASE May 16, 2001
HUNTINGTON, IN— The Huntington College Great Forester Speak off was held May 9 in front of a packed house in the Recital Hall of the Merillat Centre for the Arts.  The bi-annual event showcased the persuasive skills of Huntington College’s finest student speakers.   Classmates voted participants into the competition based on their outstanding oratorical skills.  Each contestant was then evaluated by the judging panel made up of Mike Perkins, Editor of the Huntington Herald Press; Kathleen O’Donnell, director of the Huntington College EXCEL program; and Aaron VanDerVeen, last semester’s winning speaker.

Dr. Chris Leland, associate professor of communication says, “With the Forester Speak Off, we are creating an opportunity for students to enhance their public communication skills.  This year’s set of speeches was probably the strongest set of speeches we’ve had in the speak off.  The art of oratory isn’t lost!” 

The top finishers in the Spring 2001 edition of the speak off are: Audra Engle, a freshman from Decatur, Indiana, who spoke on bringing euthanasia to an end around the world.  Mark Flood, a junior from Angola, Indiana, finished second with his speech on active Christianity.  Leslie Smith, a sophomore from Warren, Indiana, followed in third with her address on breast cancer prevention and detection. Finishing in fourth, Brandon Schall, a junior from Kokomo, Indiana, spoke convincingly on tithing. 

Other participants included Andrew Bowen from Kendallville, Indiana, who spoke about bold evangelism; Josh Willard, from Jackson, Michigan, with a speech about the dangers of pornography; Ann Gensic, of Columbia City, Indiana, with a speech about the useful effects of DDT on Malaria around the world; Lindsey Shady, of Kendallville, Indiana, who spoke about alcohol use and abuse; and Kathryn Nix, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, with an address about media effects on women.

Dr. Chris Leland concluded, “Each of the speakers did a wonderful job.  Professor Rowley and I were very proud of their work and professionalism.