Burfiend and David tie for first in oratory competition
Judge gives extra $3,000 so contestants need not split prize; Burfiend claims his third Everett victory
Nick Tabor
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: News
The judges of last Thursday's Edward Everett Prize in Oratory couldn't pick a single winner, so judge Jack Krasula donated $3,000 for an extra first place prize.
Senior Dan Burfiend and junior Michael David tied for first place.
This year's event marked Burfiend's third victory - he also won in his freshman and junior years. He placed third his sophomore year.
The $3,000 he won last Thursday boosted his cumulative winnings to $10,000.
"I'm glad I've had the opportunity to compete for so many years, and grateful that the donors fund it so generously," Burfiend said.
Though he's never taken a speech class at Hillsdale College, Burfiend said he has honed his abilities by participating in high school contests and competing on Hillsdale's debate team.
"I think it's been just a lot of practice, and a lot of detailed examination of the text that I'm using, and improving the text of my speech," he said.
Assistant Professor of Speech Kirstin Kiledal said Burfiend uses a "philosophical, city-on-a-hill kind of approach." She said his polished presentation helps bring his message home.
"He understands formal compositional argument," she said.
All the other final competitors, including David, competed in the event for their first time.
David said he felt inspired by his experiences on the forensics team, which he joined last spring.
"I've always had a knack for [public speaking], but I haven't taken advantage of it until lately," he said. "I credit forensics for 95 percent of my success."
Senior Erle Pettus, a finalist from last year's competition, said liked the variety David's speech brought to the competition.
"It was a lot more colloquial than you usually see," he said. "I was pleasantly surprised to see that he came in first."
"There's a fine line between formal and informal speaking," David said. "You have to walk that line in order to be effective."
Kiledal said she was glad to see both Burfiend and David's talents recognized, given the difference of their styles.
"They were each so strong in different areas," she said.
Krasula hosts a radio show on WJR AM-760 called "Anything is Possible," on which he interviews people who have overcome obstacles to achieve great things. That's why the college asked him to judge this competition: he's an orator himself.
Kiledal said Krasula looked at the competitors the way an executive would look at job applicants. Krasula is the president of Trustinus, LLC, an executive employment agency based in Southfield, Mich. He was one of three judges for the competition. The others were Don Tocco and President Larry Arnn.
"The business model he followed told him he would hire both [candidates] for his team, even if it meant dipping into his own coffers," she said. "It was extremely generous of him and totally unsolicited."
Sophomore Allen Shoff won $2,000 as runner-up, and sophomore Megan Huening received $1,000 as the third-place winner. The other finalist, junior Gennady Stolyarov, and alternate Betsy Peters, a sophomore, each won $100 and a plaque.
Each contestant was asked to speak for 10 minutes about "The Limits of Tolerance in an Age of Diversity."
They were graded on time management, clarity of ideas, adaptation to audience, logical flow, presentation, appearance and persuasive merit.
This year's competition was funded by a $200,000 endowment from the Paul N. Silbert Charitable Trust. The speech department received the money near the beginning of this month, but Kiledal said the endowment will fund the competition for many years to come.
Burfiend said he intends to save as much of the money as he can. He plans to attend a Lutheran seminary next year in preparation for a career as a minister.
David said he'll invest $2,000 and use the rest to fund his spring break trip.
"I'm gonna go on spring break somewhere real nice," he said.
For more Everett news click here and here.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
Senior Dan Burfiend and junior Michael David tied for first place.
This year's event marked Burfiend's third victory - he also won in his freshman and junior years. He placed third his sophomore year.
The $3,000 he won last Thursday boosted his cumulative winnings to $10,000.
"I'm glad I've had the opportunity to compete for so many years, and grateful that the donors fund it so generously," Burfiend said.
Though he's never taken a speech class at Hillsdale College, Burfiend said he has honed his abilities by participating in high school contests and competing on Hillsdale's debate team.
"I think it's been just a lot of practice, and a lot of detailed examination of the text that I'm using, and improving the text of my speech," he said.
Assistant Professor of Speech Kirstin Kiledal said Burfiend uses a "philosophical, city-on-a-hill kind of approach." She said his polished presentation helps bring his message home.
"He understands formal compositional argument," she said.
All the other final competitors, including David, competed in the event for their first time.
David said he felt inspired by his experiences on the forensics team, which he joined last spring.
"I've always had a knack for [public speaking], but I haven't taken advantage of it until lately," he said. "I credit forensics for 95 percent of my success."
Senior Erle Pettus, a finalist from last year's competition, said liked the variety David's speech brought to the competition.
"It was a lot more colloquial than you usually see," he said. "I was pleasantly surprised to see that he came in first."
"There's a fine line between formal and informal speaking," David said. "You have to walk that line in order to be effective."
Kiledal said she was glad to see both Burfiend and David's talents recognized, given the difference of their styles.
"They were each so strong in different areas," she said.
Krasula hosts a radio show on WJR AM-760 called "Anything is Possible," on which he interviews people who have overcome obstacles to achieve great things. That's why the college asked him to judge this competition: he's an orator himself.
Kiledal said Krasula looked at the competitors the way an executive would look at job applicants. Krasula is the president of Trustinus, LLC, an executive employment agency based in Southfield, Mich. He was one of three judges for the competition. The others were Don Tocco and President Larry Arnn.
"The business model he followed told him he would hire both [candidates] for his team, even if it meant dipping into his own coffers," she said. "It was extremely generous of him and totally unsolicited."
Sophomore Allen Shoff won $2,000 as runner-up, and sophomore Megan Huening received $1,000 as the third-place winner. The other finalist, junior Gennady Stolyarov, and alternate Betsy Peters, a sophomore, each won $100 and a plaque.
Each contestant was asked to speak for 10 minutes about "The Limits of Tolerance in an Age of Diversity."
They were graded on time management, clarity of ideas, adaptation to audience, logical flow, presentation, appearance and persuasive merit.
This year's competition was funded by a $200,000 endowment from the Paul N. Silbert Charitable Trust. The speech department received the money near the beginning of this month, but Kiledal said the endowment will fund the competition for many years to come.
Burfiend said he intends to save as much of the money as he can. He plans to attend a Lutheran seminary next year in preparation for a career as a minister.
David said he'll invest $2,000 and use the rest to fund his spring break trip.
"I'm gonna go on spring break somewhere real nice," he said.
For more Everett news click here and here.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Pam Avers
posted 2/29/08 @ 9:11 AM EST
Michael,
We are so proud of you! I hope you see this! Your article/speech was fabulous! I told your mom I had said those things to others just never so eloquently! Thanks!
Again we are so proud of you!
Iain and Pam Avers
Martha Szymanski
posted 2/29/08 @ 9:45 AM EST
Michael,
I am so proud of you, but not one bit surprised of your success in this area!! You are a fine young man who has outstanding potential for success in whatever you set as your goals in life. (Continued…)
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