Speaking Center Staff
meet the speaking center tutors and director for 2009 — 2010
dr. david lawrence
Dr. David Lawrence serves as the Director of the Speaking Center at Agnes Scott College and teaches two sections of Introduction to Public Speaking. His research interests include deliberative rhetoric, public advocacy, and new communication technologies.
Dr. Lawrence comes to Agnes Scott College from Alma College in Michigan, where he served as an associate professor of communication. Dr. Lawrence received his M.A. and Ph.D. in communication, with a focus on rhetorical theory and argumentation, from The Ohio State University. At Alma College, he taught courses in public speaking, argumentation and debate, communication technologies, freedom of speech, and communication research methods.
Alice Ferron '10
I am a junior double majoring in History and English Literature. Although, I have an American accent I am actually originally from Britain and I lived in Scotland for seven years. My parents relocated to the Houston Texas area when I was ten, where I have lived ever since.
Being a Speaking Center tutor is my favorite hobby and extracurricular activity, although I am also involved in Tri Iota and Phi Alpha Theta. I am also a total fashion buff and write the fashion column for The Profile.
After graduating from Agnes Scott I plan on attending law school and pursuing a career in corporate litigation.
What I love about being a Speaking center tutor:
I think I have always been a speaking center tutor, even before I learned about communication theory. In high school I was involved in debate and theatre, and loved to help my friends with their oral presentations. It is truly a dream come true for me to be able to help my peers with their oral communication skills on a daily basis. I enjoy tutoring everything from oral interpretation to transforming research papers into presentations.
Carolyn Brown '12
I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, but my family relocated to Charleston South Carolina a few years ago. I attended a middle school and high school that specialized in the arts where I was a choir nerd for many years.
I am now a Sophomore, with a major in History with a minor in Music and in political science. After I graduate Agnes Scott I plan to attend law school, where I will specialize in International Litigation.
Public speaking is one of my favorite things to do. I was a competitive public speaker for six years competing in both state and national competition, and never get tired of it. I also worked as an apprentice for a theatre company for several years and am quite talented with power tools. My hobbies also include hiking and reading.
I love being a tutor at the speaking center because I love helping a student realize how much of an amazing speaker they actually are. Speaking can be nerve wracking, so when I can show a student how capable she is, and how talented she is, it makes me ridiculously happy.
If I can give any advice for public speaking, it is that if you mess up, don't stop, and just keep going. The cool thing is that no one in the audience knows what you are supposed to say. So if you skip a point, or accidently misquote something, don't panic, and don't stop. Just keep going with a smile, and only you will ever know.
Dani Herd ’11
My name is Dani Herd and I am a currently undecided sophomore here at Agnes!
My major will likely be either of the Theatre or the English varieties, as both are my top passions. This is my first year working as a tutor in the Speaking Center and I cannot wait to lend my assistance to any Scotties looking for it!
Coming from a theatrical background, I especially love any kind of oral presentation that has a more creative flair to it. For example, in my FYS "Shakespeare and Film," I had to prepare a presentation detailing how I would film a Shakespearean play. Setting Hamlet against the backdrop of Japanese street gangs! I have joined the Speaking Center to show my peers that all public speaking assignments have the potential to be this exciting.
Dru Clark '10
I am a Bama girl to the core. Born and raised in Birmingham, Al. I graduated from Indian Springs School, in 2006 and moved far away to Georgia.
I am a senior double majoring in English Literature and international Relations with a focus on postcolonial studies. After I graduate this May, I am planning on pursuing a law degree and public health masters degree.
I am pretty active around campus. I have been a member of S.A.F.E. Women, a peer health education group, for three years. This is my second year being an R.A.
I view public speaking as a great chance for students to express themselves to there peers and professors without the constraints of the page. My first public speaking engagement was in middle school, when I won the mock debate representing former President Bush in his first push for election.
After that I was hooked and continued to be involved in forensics, and theater throughout high school. Seeing people reactions to my work was thrilling; I look forward to helping my fellow Scotties enjoy public speaking as much as I do.
Inetha Shorter ’11
I am an Anthropology major with Junior standing, and recently declared the new Public Health minor.
As a Public Health minor, I will most likely enter the field after obtaining my masters degree in Public Health Administration.
As a tutor, I am most interested in giving the tutees a space to practice and perfect their speaking styles. My goal is to help ensure that each student has the best chance to share a valuable message with her peers. I feel that presenting personal work, whether it be a literature review or an original experiment, is one of the most important experiences within a student's career. I plan to work diligently to make these opportunities fulfilling for my fellow Scotties.
My interests include reading, shopping, hanging with my family, and finding creative ways to volunteer my time.
Keelin Cox ’12
My name is Keelin Cox and I am a sophomore from Chapin, SC. At the moment, I’m undecided in my major. This is my first year as a Speaking Center tutor and I’m excited to work with the students at Agnes Scott. I’m looking forward to my first session and can’t wait to help someone overcome their fear of public speaking.
My goal for this year is to change one person’s mind about public speaking. Maybe it’s showing her it’s not as scary as she previously thought or showing her, that she does know what she is talking about. I want to provide everyone at Agnes Scott confidence in their public speaking skills.
Kelsey Smith ’11
My name is Kelsey Smith, and I am a junior majoring in English Literature, minoring in music and earning teacher certification (K-5th). I was born and raised in Forsyth, GA, moved to Sweden for eight years and then returned to Georgia for college. As a work-study student, I help maintain the Speaking Center's website.
I love working on the website because it represents a huge interest of mine that I don't necessarily plan to pursue professionally. This is my opportunity to learn more just for the sake of learning it! I particularly enjoy figuring out how to format tricky texts and sharpening new skills. Before college, I used to practice designing website layouts and the like in my free time. Now that free time is more scarce, I’m glad that I can do it as a job.
Other interests of mine include singing, creative writing and playing with my little brother.
Mehwish Shaukat '11
I was born and raised in East Tennessee and have lived in the South all my life.
After Agnes Scott I aspire to be a lawyer and have a career in international affairs. Currently I am a junior political science major and love every minute of it. In high school I was involved with public speaking and debate and am passionate about women possessing the capability to express themselves. In attempts to bring my dreams to fruition I am available to tutor anyone interested in the Agnes Scott Community.
My goal is to instill confidence in women to venture the world outside Agnes with grace and power in their speaking.
Rachel Burger '11
I am a junior International Relations major with a concentration in China and an English minor. I am originally from a small town in New Hampshire, but my parents are relocating to Vienna, Virginia this year (and yes, the chickens are moving with us!).
Outside of the Speaking Center, I am involved in student government, the Outdoor Adventure Club, and political organizations around campus. I also coach a YMCA boy’s soccer team and maintain a music critique blog. I plan on pursuing a JD/MBA post-graduation and working in the field of international business.
From speaking at an 800-person rally to giving a 15-minute history presentation for a grade, I have always enjoyed directing the attention of an audience. The thrill of public speaking is seeking out the potential for creativity and inspiration in each individual situation. I am looking forward to developing my skills as a tutor to help the student body live honorably and engage the intellectual and social challenges of their times through rhetoric.