Student Competitions

Speaking Contests

The Betty Balasi Speaking Contest - This contest is held in memory of former Communication Studies Department secretary Betty Balasi.  It's held in the Fall Semester each year for students enrolled in CMN 1310. The top speakers advance to the finals, where they can receive monetary awards.  Read the results of the 2011 contest here.

The Smith-Merritt Speaking Contest - This contest is held in honor of former Communication Studies faculty members Calvin Smith and Floyd Merritt.  It's held in the Spring Semester each year for students enrolled in CMN 1310. The top speakers advance to the finals, where they can receive monetary awards.  Read the results of the 2011 contest here.

The Bock Public Speaking Contest - This contest is sponsored by former Communication Studies Department Chair Doug Bock.  It's held in the Spring Semester and is open to undergraduate majors and minors in communication. The top speakers advance to the finals, where they can receive monetary awards.

The Fashing Speech Scholarship Competition - Established in 2006 by Communication Studies alumnus Colleen Fashing, this competition is designed to support a student who demonstrates strong public speaking skills and an ability to connect current events to a future career. The student receiving the scholarship must complete a manuscript connecting a current event with a future impact on a career and then present a speech to a faculty panel who will select a winner from among the finalists.

Multimedia Contest

Multimedia Contest – This contest is open to any undergraduate students majoring or minoring in Communication Studies who are currently enrolled at Eastern Illinois University.  The students enter video and audio productions in various categories.  A panel of faculty members judge the entries, with monetary awards for the top projects.  The contest is held in the Spring, but is open to entries from throughout the entire academic year.  Read the results of the 2011 contest here.

Paper Competition

Research Paper Competition – Each year the communication honorary sponsors a research paper writing competition. It's open to undergraduate majors or minors in Communication Studies.  A panel of faculty members reviews the papers, with monetary awards to the top entries.