PNC Hyde Park Forum to be April 17

PNCThe Purdue University North Central Hyde Park Forum Public Speaking Contest will be Wednesday, April 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. on campus. Admission is free and open to the public.

The 30th annual Hyde Park Forum is a fun and challenging annual speaking event open to all PNC students who will present their thoughts on a variety of subjects. Many of the speakers will be students in the PNC Communication 114 class. The speech topics, presentation times and rooms will be posted in Library-Student-Faculty (LSF) Building Assembly Hall, Room 02 and the southeast entrance of Schwarz Hall.

Visitors are welcome to move from room to room to listen to the student speakers. Several speakers will present in each room, with judges evaluating them. The speeches are thought-provoking, insightful and often present new or differing points of view to the listeners. Topics range from commentary on current news, observations of the social or cultural climate or remarks on subjects of interest to the speaker.

Following the presentation of the speeches, participants and guests may go to Assembly Hall for refreshments and a 15-minute award ceremony in which all speakers are recognized.

Hyde Park Forum winners will compete in a "Speak-Off" on Friday, April 19, from noon to 1 p.m. in LSF Assembly Hall, Room 02. One overall winner will be named, with several runners up. The Hyde Park Forum and Speak-Off are sponsored by the PNC Department of Communication. Additional sponsors are still being sought.

The concept for the Hyde Park Forum is loosely based on London's Hyde Park, a public park known as a gathering place for speakers who wish to state their minds. Hyde Park has gained prominence as a reference to freedom of speech and intriguing speaking. The PNC Hyde Park Forum offers a similar opportunity for students to stand and deliver their messages to a group of interested listeners. The Hyde Park Forum continues to be a source of encouragement for speakers of all ages at PNC.

The deadline for entries is April 5. Further information about the Hyde Park Forum, can be obtained by contacting Dr. Daniel Wilbur, associate professor of Communication at 462-4197 ext. 5472 or by visiting www.pnc.edu/com/hydepark.html. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Wilbur.