Aerial view of the Pulliam clocktower on the campus of SIU Carbondale

November 07, 2024

SIU Student Speakers Forum on Nov. 14 to focus on time management

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Five Southern Illinois University Carbondale undergraduate students will share their thoughts on managing time in today’s fast-paced society on Thursday, Nov. 14, in Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium.

This semester’s topic is “24/7 in 2024: Navigating Time in a Fast-Paced World.” The free, public forum is from 7 to 8 p.m.

The forums, which happen each semester, began in spring 2002. The forum will also be available via the School of Communications Studies’ YouTube channel and Facebook page.

“This theme invites students to explore the concept of time in our modern, always-on society,” said Franklin Kimmell, a third-year doctoral student and graduate teaching assistant in communication studies who is organizing the forum.

Christina Ivey, assistant professor and introductory course coordinator in the School of Communication Studies, said the speakers “have a wide range of interpretations of this semester’s topic that will make for an event where everyone will find something they can relate to.”

Various impacts relating to time management

The five students are tackling the topic from a variety of perspectives. The discussion areas could include the pressure of constant connectivity, work-life balance, technology’s impact on our perception of time, and the importance of mindfulness and intentional living, Kimmell said.

“Students could also examine how societal expectations around time management have evolved, the role of time in personal and professional success, and how we can reclaim time for rest, creativity and meaningful connections in a 24/7 world,” Kimmell said. “Additionally, students might highlight the positive potential of using time efficiently for personal growth, community building or creating innovative solutions that benefit both individuals and society.”

Chosen from auditions, students who deliver 6- to 8-minute persuasive speeches will each receive a $100 scholarship from the Society for Civil Discourse.

Showcasing aspiring talent

The forum is sponsored by the School of Communication Studies and the Society for Civil Discourse. The society was founded in 1999, when SIU Carbondale alumna Barbara Jane Schwartz of Makanda established an endowment to provide space for students to be able freely engage in civil discourse and support opportunities for students to exchange opinions and beliefs in topics of interest about the Carbondale campus and society.

The students who will speak are:

  • Libby Brandon, freshman, accounting/finance, Herrin, Illinois — Topic/thesis: “The pressure of being constantly connected.”
  • Angelina Fremault, freshman, aviation management, Orland Park, Illinois — Topic/thesis: “Embracing mortality and time with body donation.”
  • Makayla Dawn Learned, senior, agricultural communications with a minor in animal sciences, Penfield, Illinois — Topic/thesis: “Cultivating time within American agriculture.”
  • Emily Yarbro, freshman, mechanical engineering with an aerospace specialization, Little Rock, Arkansas — Topic/thesis: “Embracing the end.”
  • Elwood Sheflin, sophomore, fermentation science, Fort Collins, Colorado — Topic/thesis: “Time served.”

There will be a catered reception following the forum in the rotunda outside of the auditorium. For more information on the event, contact Kimmell at franklin.kimmell@siu.edu.