Spring Break
Students heard through public speaking exhibition
Marie Williams
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Features
This past Monday, the ECU School of Communication hosted the seventh annual James Lester Rees Oratorical Exhibition. The exhibition was renamed this year in honor of James Rees, a beloved communication professor who created business and professional communication classes for the school, but passed away last year.
"He greatly looked forward to this event each year," said Pamela Hopkins, a communication professor. "And now we honor his legacy."
Anthony Holsten, the Master of Ceremonies, introduced the exhibition's guest speaker, Allan Hoffman of WNCT-TV.
Holsten captivated the audience with stories about the power of words.
"Words are used to enlighten, entertain and impress others," said Holsten. "John Rees simply understood how to use words--like a scalpel in the hands of an experienced surgeon."
His speech led to the theme of the exhibition, "How it could be …"
"This exhibition celebrates public speaking as a powerful skill," Holsten said.
Seven ECU students used their voices on a variety of issues.
Whitney Sessoms, an upcoming graduate, took to the stage with "Keep Moving Forward and You Will Succeed." She spoke passionately about struggling for success and its rewards.
"Success is a choice, not a guarantee; encourage yourself," said Sessoms. "Move forward and you will succeed."
Tyler Brewer, a communication major, presented "Not Just a Problem of Race." He spoke of racial inequality and its effect on the economy today.
"It is an immediate problem that will require social, societal and economical change," said Brewer. "It is stronger now than in previous years, but we can fix it together."
Melanie Houston, a senior biochemistry major, directed her attention toward another concern in her speech, "Childhood Obesity & Epidemic."
She explained the life-threatening risks of childhood obesity and offered practical solutions, such as increasing one's knowledge of healthy behaviors and making an active effort to increase physical activity.
"He greatly looked forward to this event each year," said Pamela Hopkins, a communication professor. "And now we honor his legacy."
Anthony Holsten, the Master of Ceremonies, introduced the exhibition's guest speaker, Allan Hoffman of WNCT-TV.
Holsten captivated the audience with stories about the power of words.
"Words are used to enlighten, entertain and impress others," said Holsten. "John Rees simply understood how to use words--like a scalpel in the hands of an experienced surgeon."
His speech led to the theme of the exhibition, "How it could be …"
"This exhibition celebrates public speaking as a powerful skill," Holsten said.
Seven ECU students used their voices on a variety of issues.
Whitney Sessoms, an upcoming graduate, took to the stage with "Keep Moving Forward and You Will Succeed." She spoke passionately about struggling for success and its rewards.
"Success is a choice, not a guarantee; encourage yourself," said Sessoms. "Move forward and you will succeed."
Tyler Brewer, a communication major, presented "Not Just a Problem of Race." He spoke of racial inequality and its effect on the economy today.
"It is an immediate problem that will require social, societal and economical change," said Brewer. "It is stronger now than in previous years, but we can fix it together."
Melanie Houston, a senior biochemistry major, directed her attention toward another concern in her speech, "Childhood Obesity & Epidemic."
She explained the life-threatening risks of childhood obesity and offered practical solutions, such as increasing one's knowledge of healthy behaviors and making an active effort to increase physical activity.
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