Second annual "The Sully Speaks" Award shifts focus to debate

The second annual "The Sully Speaks" competition will recognize a Richmond student who displays communications excellence based on a single speech submitted to the committee. The winner of the competition receives a cash prize of $1,000. 

The competition was launched last year by students and faculty and was devised by alumni Brent Sullivan, '04, and Andrew Ryan, '06, with the intent to "promote public speaking for the business world." The award was named to honor Sullivan's father, William R. Sullivan, and grandfather, James R. Sullivan.

The 2008 Sully Speaks winner was Megan McNamara, '11, who, in her speech, discussed passion and encouraged her audience to make life decisions based on the things they truly enjoy. She related her advice to her own life experiences, pursuing international volunteer work through a non-profit organization called Cross-Cultural Solutions. 

"Her ambition and talent is surpassed only by her dexterity as a creative, logical and convincing speaker," said Sullivan, in his congratulatory remarks. "It is my hope that Megan will choose to become an ambassador for this event in the future, encouraging other orators to improve their own aptitude and proficiency."

This year the award has shifted to a broader assessment of debate success in public forum debates over the course of the academic year. The 2009 Sully Speaks Award will be given to the Richmond student who exhibits the highest levels of success and commitment to competitive public debate.

All forms of competitive debate matter for the selection of this award, but a strong emphasis is placed on participation in public forum debates such as the Madison Cup at James Madison University, the Washington-Franklin Debates at Randolph-Macon College and other public debate competitions that encourage students to make a compelling argument to a broad-based audience. 

For the 2009 competition, Richmond debate coaches will work with Sullivan to determine the debater who will receive the award. The winner will be announced at the end of the academic year.

It is the responsibility of the students to become fully knowledgeable about their topic and to present an argument with passion, persuasion and fact, Sullivan says, as well as to deliver a message with the highest degree of positive impact.

Posted January 23, 2009