Submitted by Professor Steve Oldfield

About 150 students, friends, and family members came together in Ziegler Hall to hear engaging speeches on everything from handling grief to the wonderful world of ants for this semester’s Tom Talks. They also enjoyed homemade lasagna prepared by Madysen Hackler’s family, whose mini-TED Talk was all about pasta. The 21 finalists were chosen from around 70 students enrolled in Professor Steve Oldfield’s Com-105 Public Speaking course. 

Judges included Thomas More alumnus Brad Fritz, a professional speaker who shares his warnings with young people about drinking and driving; Debbie Buckley, a retired administrator from the City of Ft. Thomas; and last semester’s Tom Talks Audience Winner, senior Sabrina Doll. Senior Rea Seele, a South African Rugby player and RA was honored for hosting the evening for the third year in a row.  He also works with finalists in the weeks before the talks.

South African native Sylvia Malumba won the Judge’s Award for her powerful speech on overcoming shyness and bullying.

Wyatt Fausz won The Gordon Award, named after Thomas More alumnus Gordon Huston, who made the finals in 2022, despite demanding challenges that affect his ability to speak, caused by an operation to ease his epileptic seizures. Fausz, who manages a  slight stutter, overcame his fear of speaking to excel in the course. Fausz is the first recipient of a new Gordon Award trophy, designed by Gordon and the artisans at Sterling Cut Glass. The Northern Kentucky company donated the award, paying tribute to Gordon and his family, who have been sponsoring the award for the past four years.

“Just like Gordon, Wyatt is a dedicated, hard-working student who gave his all in the class and showed real improvement from January to now,” said Professor Oldfield. “Public speaking is a required core course so everyone has to take it—even those who would rather take anything else.  Yet, Gordon and Wyatt showed up every week prepared with a great attitude that inspired all of us.”

Newport native Gabrielle Friedhoff won the Most Improved Award and presented her speech called, “Try Something Different,” in the finals. Her talk was inspired by her father, Jason,  a football coach and University alumnus who was part of the 1992 championship football team.

This semester’s audience award winners were Covington Catholic alumnus Ryan Hetzer for his speech about ants, and Mason County’s Brooklyn Young for her speech about grief. Winners received trophies and a $50 cash prize provided by Professor Oldfield.