Bright minds with strong voices will make their cases in Ferris State University’s Starr Building on Saturday, Dec. 7 when the Ferris State Speech and Debate program will collaborate with the Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League to host a tournament. 

Speech and Debate coach Aimee Miller said participants will compete in a variety of categories. 

“There will be a ton of events, from impromptu speaking to more theatrical presentations, like prose and poetry,” Miller said. “We will also have unique categories, like impromptu sales speaking and interview sessions. In the latter, judges will ask the questions, just as an employer would when meeting with a job candidate and student participants will be scored based on their responses.” 

Miller seeks Ferris State faculty, staff and other qualified community members to help judge the tournament. 

“Anyone with a bachelor’s degree can help with judging,” Miller said. “A ‘new judge’ would not be placed in a demanding category, but someone with a business background would rely on their experience to oversee impromptu sales presentations or our interview sessions. We are happy to offer training and consult any judging volunteers at their convenience before the event.” 

Participating in collegiate speech and debate provides a range of benefits including enhanced critical thinking skills, improved public speaking abilities, strong research and analytical capabilities, increased confidence, the ability to construct persuasive arguments, effective communication skills, and exposure to diverse perspectives, all of which are highly valuable in both academic and professional settings. 

Miller joined Ferris State’s Communication faculty with a mandate to bolster the Speech and Debate program, and the students earned a third-place finish in the tournament’s Team Sweepstakes in 2023. 

“It was a very good event for the league and our students,” Miller said. “They asked to join us again, and we look forward to this experience and opportunity.” 

Miller welcomes any questions regarding Ferris’ Speech and Debate team, a registered student organization known as Pi Kappa Delta or volunteering as a tournament judge at (231) 591-2745. 

_{Photo and release courtesy of Ferris State University.}