Public Speaking: 5 Talk the Talk

Winners of the McKinney Prize were Hanbin Yang '12, Rachel Pohl '11, Elijah LaChance '10 and Rebecca Griffin '09. The McKinney is awarded to a member of each class and is based on the presentation of persuasive speeches addressing issues that are socially relevant and of interest to the extended Hamilton community.

Rebecca Griffin also was awarded the Clark Prize. It was originally established through a gift from Aaron Clark in 1859 and re-established in 1892 through a gift from the Fayerweather estate. Open to seniors, the competition includes both an essay and a speech on an assigned topic. This year's topic was "Re-examining the Drinking Age."

Stuart Lombardi '09 won the Wright Prize for "The Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs." The prize is open to students who have taken or are currently enrolled in COM 210 (Rhetorical Act). The speeches must focus on a current issue of social significance, be informative in nature and be supported by factual material.

Judges were Julia Cowles '84, trustee and attorney/partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell; J.K. Hage '72, managing partner, Hage & Hage, LLC, Alumni Council ­Executive Committee member and chair of the Multicultural Alumni Relations Committee; Jennifer Irons, assistant professor of sociology; Susan Jasko, associate professor of communication studies, California University of Pennsylvania; Cynthia Reynolds, secretary to the dean of students; Patrick Reynolds, acting dean of faculty and professor of biology; Sharon Rivera, assistant professor of government; Stephen Sadove '73, trustee and chairman/CEO, Saks, Inc.; Susan Skerritt K'77, trustee and managing director, Bank of New York Mellon; David Thompson, Blood Fitness and Dance Center director and professor of physical education; Nancy Thompson, dean of ­students; and Jay Williams '54, the Walcott-Bartlett Professor of Religious Studies.