Public Speaking Contest Invites Students to Share Transformative Ideas

Burgess Institute-sponsored event to showcase poise and skills

The annual Public Speaking Contest, now sponsored by the Burgess Institute for the Global Economy, returns this spring, offering Dickinson students a platform to showcase their speaking skills and compete for $1,200 in prize money.

“I think the stereotypical student who would be interested in something like this is intent on a career in law or politics,” says Asbury J. Clarke Professor of Classical Studies Chris Francese, one of the event’s organizers. “But in fact, being comfortable talking in front of a group is useful in any line of work—all collective action is based on persuasion.”

A longstanding tradition at Dickinson, the contest has historically drawn around 60 student participants, with more than 70 faculty members and administrators serving as judges. This year, organizers hope to match or exceed those numbers as the competition unfolds over two weeks.

For the preliminary rounds, judges will evaluate six speeches, each lasting 5 to 6 minutes, and score contestants accordingly.

Contest timeline

March 16, 5 p.m.: Registration deadline.
March 25 and 26, 6-7 p.m.: Two preliminary rounds for all contestants, Bosler Hall 2nd and 3rd floor
March 27, 6-7 p.m.: Top 18 speakers advance to the semifinals, Bosler Hall 2nd and 3rd floor
April 4, 6-7:30 p.m.: Top 7 speakers from the semifinals compete in the final round, Althouse 10. The final will be judged by distinguished alumni.

This year’s theme, "This Idea Changed the Way I See the World," invites students to reflect on a thought, theory or concept they encountered at Dickinson—from a reading, lecture, discussion or other related means—that profoundly reshaped their worldview. Speeches must have a thoughtful and serious point, but humor and lightheartedness are welcome to sharpen that point.

While public speaking isn’t something everyone enjoys, Francese says a contest like this might just be the thing to help someone overcome that hesitance.

“All it takes to get reasonably good at it is to practice,” he says. “So this is a chance to practice in a ‘live fire’ situation—anxiety-inducing, but once you’ve done it, you know you can do it.”

Students can , and if they're looking to refine their speeches, they can attend the Public Speaking Club’s weekly meetings, where they can receive practice and feedback. For more information, contact Sophie Jones ’28.

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Published March 5, 2025

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