Three EMU students participated in the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest held the evening of Mar. 24 on campus. <\/p>\n
While the contest ran in conjunction with the “Micah Think Tank” festivities this year, EMU has taken part in the competition for the past four out of five years. The grand prize winner will move on to compete at the bi-national level. <\/p>\n
Nicholas L. (Nick) Stoddard, a junior biblical studies major from Wellman, Iowa, won the grand prize award of $250 with his speech, “Connect the Dots.” His oration explored how individual choices add up to affect others on a global level. <\/p>\n
Matthew A. (Matt) Pearson, a junior from Suffolk, Va., and John P. Stephens, a junior from Harrisonburg, also competed, bringing stimulating ideas to the table regarding contemporary peace issues. A video of Stoddard’s speech and a written copy will be entered in the bi-national competition. <\/p>\n
The contest was established in 1974 by the directors of the C. Henry Smith Trust as a way of honoring the late Mennonite historian who taught at Goshen (Ind.) College and Bluffton (Ohio) University. <\/p>\n
It is administered annually by Peace and Justice Ministries of Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Students from every Mennonite and Brethren in Christ college in North America are eligible to participate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"