Mississippi State’s new Speaking Center, open since this fall, will host a “Snack & Chat” open house this month to showcase the varied opportunities the center offers students and university employees alike to hone their public speaking skills.

From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. next Tuesday [March 29], the Speaking Center reception will take place in the Dawg House in the Colvard Student Union, offering students and faculty a chance to enjoy snacks and enter a raffle for gift cards while they learn about the new MSU resource.

Students and faculty also will have the opportunity to take tours of the Speaking Center in its permanent location, Old Main Academic Center Room 3290.

The center location is named for 1982 MSU chemical engineering alumnus Tom Freeman and his wife, Jean, of Starkville who endowed the study room in 2017. Additional alumni have designated support to assist with equipment, furniture and daily operational costs.

Cheryl Chambers, an instructor in MSU’s Department of Communication, currently serves as the center’s director. She said it was created to help students with presentation skills, and the open house will be a “fun introduction” to the various options available.

“Center interns and consultants will provide information and help students sign up for appointments,” Chambers said.

The MSU Speaking Center is designed to assist with skill training on topic and speech purpose development, audience adaptation, organization, visual and audio delivery, and use of visual aids. Assistance also is available to help participants reduce public speaking apprehension.

For more information, contact Chambers at cchambers@comm.msstate.edu.  

To schedule a consultation, visit www.speakingcenter.msstate.edu.  To learn more on supporting the growth and development of this new resource, contact College of Arts and Sciences Director of Development Sara Frederic at sfrederic@foundation.msstate.edu or call 662-315-2006.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.