by
Susan Sullivan | Apr 25, 2017
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) in their Job Outlook 2016 report, good verbal communication skills are among the top five most important attributes employers seek in new college graduates. In fact, nearly 70 percent of employers surveyed said verbal communication was important.
Each year, Marian University's speech team travels to about 12 tournaments a year in addition to a week-long trip to the National Forensic Association's Individual Events Tournament each April. Last year, Marian University students won nine state championships in individual events. Numerous career paths require good verbal communication and public speaking skills, such as:
- Lawyers
- Fundraising professionals
- Corporate trainers, development specialists, and seminar leaders
- K-12 teachers and principals
- Sales representatives
- Religious leaders including pastors, priests, and ministers
- Politicians and elected officials
- Broadcast journalists
- Public health educators
That’s one reason why the Hoosier Forensics Institute is launching its inaugural Summer 2017 Speech Day Camp for middle and high school students this summer, notes Kyle Kellam, assistant professor of communication and director of the award-winning Marian University speech team.
Camp participants will receive individual coaching from well-qualified faculty and instructors using Indiana High School Forensic League (IHSFA) rules.
Two camps, presented in partnership with Ball State University, will be offered:
High School Students (grades 9-12)
- July 24-28 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
- Cost is $395
Middle School Students (grades 6-8)
- July 24-26 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
- Cost is $250
Tuition for each camp includes instruction, handouts, supplies and materials, lunch, and a T-shirt. Register by June 1 and save $50.
In March, nine students from Marian University's speech team traveled to the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament in Boise, Idaho where they competed against 2,000 students from 72 universities. They earned an award of excellence for placing in the top 30 percent of university forensic teams in the country.
Incoming students for the fall 2017 semester who want to participate on the Marian University speech team can contact Dr. Kellam at rkellam@marian.edu.
