By Colleen McGinness
Special to the Collegian

The 2003 Edward Everett Prize in Oratory topic, “Frankenstein’s Dilemma—We have technology, ought we use it? Science, Technology and Ethics in the 21st Century,” was announced last Thursday.

The topic, decided by the theater and speech department faculty, is designed to provide students an outlet in which to discuss some of society’s most pressing questions.

“The topic requires them [students] to engage in an understanding of ideas that arise in contestations between science, technology and society,” said Kirstin Kiledal, Director of Speech Studies as well as the contest.

The contest is open to students of every major. Orators must prepare an original ten-minute speech pertaining to the topic and deliver it by memory.

A tentative panel of judges includes Hillsdale’s Board of Trustees member Dr. Donald Mossey, renowned communication scholar Dr. Gerard Hauser and possibly a federal judge.

The contest is composed of three rounds: preliminaries, semi-finals, and finals. Prizes include $3,000 allotted to the winner, $1,500 to the runner-up, $1,000 for third place and a small stipend to all contestants who reach the final round.

Fifteen students participated in last year’s contest, which centered around the topic “Freedom is not Free: the Individual’s Responsibility to the Republic.” Daniel Young, ’02, claimed first place.

Among last year’s judges was Gleaves Whitney, chief speechwriter for former Michigan governor John Engler.

“The oratorical quality is stellar,” Gleaves said of the contestants. “It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”

Not only did Young’s words spread throughout Hillsdale’s campus, but they also reached a much broader audience due to its publication in Imprimis.

Regarding Young’s Imprimis publication, Kiledal said it was an excellent method of illustrating the type of students Hillsdale turns out.

“Hillsdale College can say this is what students are able to do when they leave here,” Kiledal said. “It’s imperative we show people that we don’t just take in views and thoughts of prominent people but that we actually engage our students.”

The application deadline for the contest is Jan. 14.

“We made the deadline after Christmas for people to work on the topic, and see if they will be able to compete,” Kiledal said.

The preliminary and semi-final rounds will be held Feb. 28 to Mar. 1, while the final competition is scheduled for Mar. 13.

Student participation is encouraged. Interested candidates should contact Kiledal. Contest guidelines and an application are currently available.

“We ask our students the big questions and we ask them to be able to analyze, address and be able to communicate them to an audience,” Kiledal said.