Entries are now being accepted for the fifth annual student public speaking contest at the University of Delaware, Now Hear This UD!   

The contest will be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 19, in Room 120 Smith Hall. Contestants will deliver a TED Talk-style speech no longer than 7 minutes.

Those interested in participating in the contest may submit their entries online and will be contacted to schedule an audition beginning April 3.

The contest theme -- "Speak Your Mind, Dare to Shine!” -- highlights diversity, inclusion and community building.  This theme was chosen by trainees in the student peer tutoring organization, the Oral Communication Fellows under the direction of Chris Volker, associate director of oral communication in the University Writing Center.  

The purpose of this competition is not just to find the best public speaker, but rather to showcase the value of communication. More information is available on Facebook  and on Twitter @NowHearThisUD .   

Last year, more than 350 students attended the contest, which is sponsored by the Department of  Communication, the Center for Political Communication, the Office of the Provost and Fountainhead Publishing. Attendees can enjoy free UDairy ice cream served on the Smith Hall plaza at 5 p.m.

The contest also will coincide with this semester’s Communication – Lambda Chi Alpha food drive. All attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food or monetary donations to support the Delaware Food Bank.

“The students involved in Now Hear This UD!  have seen what communication can do to build community and foster dialogue,” said Tracey Quigley Holden, assistant professor of communication. “The University's diversity initiative has encouraged our students to speak up on behalf of anyone in our community, ‘Dare to Shine.’  Our event will extend and deepen the dialogue about these important issues.”

For additional information, contact contact Holden at tqholden@udel.edu.