Howard Wells Public Speaking Competition
The Howard Wells Public Speaking Competition is an annual event hosted by the Department of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Made possible by generous alumni support in honor of longtime professor and forensics coach Howard Wells, this event encourages undergraduate students to develop and demonstrate their communication skills.
The competition is conducted in two rounds. In the first round, participants submit a prerecorded video of a 6–8 minute speech on this year’s theme. A panel of judges from campus and the surrounding community will select five finalists to present their speeches in front of the judges and audience during the second round.
The final round is a public event on February 23, 2027, at 6:00 p.m. in the Beck Ballroom.
The winners will be awarded cash prizes: $3,000 for 1st place, $2,000 for 2nd place, $1,000 for 3rd place, and $500 for the runners-up.
2027 Competition Theme: What topic, area of research, or innovation in your field should get more public attention than it currently does? Why?
To participate, read the instructions and rules below and submit your entry by January 24, 2027.
Instructions and Rules
Before participating, please review the following guidelines to ensure your submission meets all requirements. These instructions outline eligibility, deadlines, judging criteria, and competition expectations for both rounds.
Submit the link to your video by 11:59 p.m. MST on January 24, 2027, or contact Dr. Bryce Tellmann (bryce.tellmann@sdsmt.edu) to record your video and submit it in person.
- The same speech must be used in Round 1 and Round 2. Minor adjustments and improvements are permitted.
- Speeches will be judged on:
- Delivery
- Organization, clarity, and detail of content
- Creativity, originality, and relevance to the theme
- Speeches must address this year’s theme and be the student’s original work. AI-generated work is not permitted.
- Speeches must have a title and be 6–8 minutes in length.
- Some notes are permitted as a memory aid, but speeches should not be read.
- No visual aids are permitted.
- Videos submitted through the online form must be accessible to the judges. Ensure
your video is uploaded to one of the following platforms and is not set to private:
- OneDrive
- Google Drive
- YouTube
- Vimeo
- You may set your video as unlisted on YouTube or Vimeo, or share it using the Anyone with the link setting on OneDrive or Google Drive.
- Prizes may be subject to federal income tax. Winners will be required to submit a W-9 form to CARA.
For questions about the competition, please contact Dr. Bryce Tellmann at bryce.tellmann@sdsmt.edu.
History
The first annual Howard Wells Public Speaking Competition was held in 2025 on the following theme: “What do you see as an important challenge facing society in the coming years, and what role do scientists and engineers play in meeting that challenge?” Linus Uy, a sophomore Civil Engineering major, won first prize with his speech titled, “Technological Intrusion.”
In 2026, speeches at the second annual Howard Wells Public Speaking Competition focused
on addressing the question: “How can scientists and engineers ensure that their work
contributes to a better, not worse, future for the world?” Rosalind Winter, a sophomore
Mechanical Engineering major, won first prize with her speech titled, “The Hands that
Create, Hold the Responsibility.
Have more questions?
Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences Administrative Assistant Office: CB333
Mailing Address
Department Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
501 East Saint Joseph Street, CB333
Rapid City, SD 57701