Awards & Honors

The White-Denison Presentational Speaking Competition

The White-Denison Presentational Speaking Competition recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding public speaking skills. It traces its history to the White Public Speaking Contest and the Denison Public Speaking Contest, founded in 1916 and 1927, respectively. The contests were combined in 1963 into the current competition.

Contestants submit a complete sentence outline by the end of the fall semester. Based on those outlines, a faculty committee determines the finalists who are invited to deliver their speeches before an audience of CRS students and faculty to determine the winner. The outlines are judged according to the quality of content and organization. The faculty judge the finalists based on skills of delivery and style. The top three finishers receive a cash award.

The prize is awarded each spring semester. To apply, please complete and submit our application form.