In an increasingly digital world, public speaking is a soft skill that should not be underestimated. An ability to speak clearly and persuasively can set professionals apart in both career and personal settings and serve as a valuable asset by boosting confidence, expanding leadership potential, and deepening one’s capacity to make an impact.

Thomas More offers a foundation for effective public speaking through COM 105, Introduction to Communication, giving students practical experience in writing and delivering speeches that drive success. Professor Steve Oldfield, who teaches sections of the class every fall and spring semester, says the course is needed – as he’s seen a dramatic decline in confidence when it comes to speaking in public.

“Students spend so much time texting and on social media – and we’re still feeling the effects of the isolation from Covid,” Oldfield says. “So I have [students] get up in front of the class every week for something. We begin by telling an anecdote or short story, which is the building block to all speeches. Then, we do a lot of real-world talks, they will no doubt be required to give some day – from a job interview, presentation, and acceptance speeches, a wedding toast, eulogy, city council/school board speeches, and a PowerPoint presentation…By the end of the semester, even the most shy student is able to get up and confidently speak.”

Seven years ago, Oldfield crafted Tom Talks, a mini-TED Talks program as a final assignment for the COM 105 sections. Since then, it has grown to a popular campus event that attracts more than 150 people with awards and a panel of judges.

“Every semester, one of the shyest students from the beginning of the semester blows me away with their Tom Talk and makes the finals. We hear incredible stories of bravery and resilience,” Oldfield says.

One of the students who was recognized as most improved at the spring 2025 Tom Talks was Cheryl Freeman. “Before this class, I was scared to speak to people in general. This public speaking class helped me overall not just with my public speaking skills but my talking skills too,” Freeman shared.

She won a Gordon Award for her speech, entitled “Surviving My Brother,” in which she discussed surviving domestic violence and her path to healing. The award is named after Gordon Huston ’25 who overcame challenges to make it to the Tom Talk finals in 2021. “I would have never spoken publicly as I had before,” Freeman said. “This class gave me the confidence to do a speech in front of many others.”

Oldfield knows how far confident public speaking can take his students – he’s seen it firsthand in his own career. “I won the state 4-H Talk Meet for 9-year-old boys way back 50 years ago in 1975. It changed my life – I received proclamations from my hometown of Bellevue and ended up on a speaking tour. My speech talked about how I someday wanted to be like TV news anchor Walter Cronkite and winning the contest gave me the confidence to pursue journalism at Northwestern University, ultimately working as an anchor and reporter in major markets around the country. I trace all of it back to public speaking.”

You can read more about the spring 2025 Tom Talks here, and the fall 2024 Tom Talks here.