Michael Brown

photo of Michael Brown

Name: Michael Brown
Major: Communication Studies and Entrepreneurial Management
Year: Junior
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee

What are you looking forward to the most at this year’s contest?
I am really looking forward to seeing the city of San Antonio and possibly the Alamo at the competition. Growing up in East Tennessee, I have a lot of respect for the sacrifices the volunteers from my home made at the Alamo.

How has the Communication Studies department prepared you for the speech?
The Comm Studies department is amazing when it comes to these types of things. I am a double major in two different colleges and can tell you that the faculty engagement within the Schieffer College is unmatched. Professors care about both you and the content they teach. Many professors I haven’t even had a class with have congratulated me on this achievement.

What led you to entering this contest?
Somehow, as a klutzy freshman I mistakenly ended up taking the Senior Comm elective “Advanced Public Speaking” with Instructor Carrie Moore. She watched me give a speech and encouraged me to apply for this contest. She has been an amazing mentor to me and I would not be the speaker I am without the help of Mrs. Moore. This honor is much more of a testament to her teaching ability than my speaking ability.

How did last year’s completion prepare you for this upcoming contest? Anything specific you have learned what to do/what not to do?
Practice is so important for the competition. We have to memorize our entire 12-minute speech and perform it with no notes. My poor roommates last year must have thought I had gone insane because at night I would be repeating this 12-minute speech over and over again. Last year I reserved a lecture hall and invited all my friends to a rehearsal of my speech. We made a party out of it and had Cane’s chicken afterwards. It was a fun, relaxing way to practice and I am thankful for such amazing friends who support my passions.