Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Pi Kappa Delta presents student awards

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications
(417) 328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

Pi Kappa Delta presents student awards

BOLIVAR, Mo.Five members of Southwest Baptist University’s Heartland Sigma Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, the nation’s oldest collegiate forensic organization, received scholarships and awards during the chapter’s annual banquet May 4.

Students receiving awards are:

Kaila Todd, a sophomore communication major and the daughter of Patricia Todd of Buffalo, received the D.J. Nabors Service Award. It is presented annually to a member of the squad who is judged by fellow team members to represent a Christian example in work and competition. Todd encourages others and contributes to SBU team cohesiveness and spirit. Todd also is secretary of the Heartland Sigma chapter of PKD.

Meg Burns, a sophomore communication major from Buffalo and the daughter of Kathleen Hilmer of Buffalo and Stephen Burns of Springfield, received two awards. The Stephen E. Kilmus Scholarship is provided by the family and friends of Stephen and Marilyn Kulmus in memory of Stephen. A charter member of the Missouri Sigma Chapter of PKD, Stephen was a strong supporter of speech competition as an educational activity for developing scholars-speakers. The award is given annually to a student who deserves encouragement in forensics.

Burns also received the the Bob & Joyce Derryberry Tradition of Excellence Scholarship that is provided by Bob & Joyce Derryberry and Friends of the Forensics Program. The recipient must be an active team member who has competed for at least one year. The recipient shall demonstrate a Christ-like attitude, prove dedication to the forensics team, show a willingness to learn and consistently sacrifice for others. Burns also is vice president of the Heartland Sigma chapter of PKD.

Hannah Larino, a junior management major and the daughter of Paul and Cathy Larino of Nixa, received the Claud J. & Ruth K. Mustain Scholarship that is provided by Paul A. and Carolyn Mustain Mott and family and friends. The award recognizes an outstanding forensics team member who demonstrates cooperation, a competitive spirit and the SBU Mission Statement. The Mustain scholarship represents qualities that are essential in the ideal competitor. Larino also is historian of the Heartland Sigma chapter of PKD.

Maggie Thomas, a sophomore elementary education and middle school language arts major, is the daughter of Matt and Jill Thomas of Warrensburg. She received the Dunnegan Memorial Speech Scholarship that was established by the Dunnegan family in recognition of the centennial year of the Polk County Bank. The Dunnegan family's deep interest and involvement in the arts has served as the stimulus for providing this scholarship.

Nikolas Fischer, a junior religion and philosophy major and the son of Terry and Priscilla Fischer of Maryland Heights, received the Alex Winston Moore Forensics Scholarship that is provided by Dr. and Mrs. Bill Little in memory of their grandson. Recipients are active forensics competitors who are committed Christians and support the SBU mission statement. Fischer also is president of the Heartland Sigma chapter of PKD.

The SBU forensics teams ended its season by winning third-place Overall Sweepstakes at the PKD Nationals. The remainder of the season included two first-place Debate Sweepstakes victories, three first-place Overall Sweepstakes victories and two second-place Overall Sweepstakes finishes. The team won overall sweepstakes at the Missouri Association of Forensics Activities state tournament.

Kendall R. Phillips, a 1990 SBU graduate, was the guest speaker for the annual banquet. He is Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and Professor of Communication and Rhetorical Studies at Syracuse University. He currently serves as President-Elect of the Rhetoric Society of America.

For more information about Pi Kappa Delta and the SBU forensic team, contact Dr. David Bailey, Director of Forensics, at (417) 328-1697 or dbailey@sbuniv.edu.


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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.