Speak out for Peace!

C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest

Are you an EMU undergrad student? Do you want your voice for peace to be heard? Then participate in the peace oratorical contest, held on campus each spring. Orations should apply the Christian peace position to a contemporary concern and should not be longer than 1,500 words (8-10 minutes).

First-place winners receive a cash prize and entry in an intercollegiate competition with winners from other Mennonite-related colleges and universities. One hour of JPCS Practicum credit may be earned by competing.

2008 Contestants and Winner

Anna Engle, a freshman history & social science education major with a TESL endorsement, won the 2008 grand prize award at EMU. Hear Anna speak on her calling to 'True Pacifisim'

Anna Engle, a freshman history & social science education major with a TESL endorsement from Streetsboro, Ohio, won the grand prize award of $250 with her speech, "Called to True Pacifism." A hard copy and video of Engle's speech will be entered in the bi-national competition. The deadline for entries at that level is mid-May.

Listen to the contestants as they reflect on their Christian peace position in chapel in March!

Read the speeches of the other contestants (PDF): Ethan Zook, Emily Derstine, Kristen Swartley, Diana Terry, Matt Pearson...

2007 National Winner

EMU has participated in the event for the past five out of six years, with Nicholas L. (Nick) Stoddard winning the grand prize at the bi-national level in 2007.

Stoddard, a 2007 biblical studies graduate from Wellman, Iowa, won a cash gift and a scholarship to attend a peace-related conference for his speech, "Connect the Dots." His oration focused on developing a mindset that sees how one's actions have a direct effect on other people, even those at great geographic distance.

Additional Information

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. Smith is well-known for his numerous books on Mennonite history and his particular attention to the peace commitments of the Mennonite tradition.

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.

At EMU, the contest is sponsored by the departments of Bible & religion, language & literature, and justice, peace and conflict studies.