Greenville, South Carolina - Alpha Phi Alpha Greenville Foundation and Furman University again gave Upstate youth a showcase for their oratorical skills at the annual Joseph Vaughn Oratorical Competition on Saturday, February 21st at Furman University's Burgiss Theater. Seven orators competed in the event and spoke on the theme "
“How we can contribute to the building of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Beloved Community in today’s world?”
"Building the Beloved Community" has been a central theme of all the events honoring of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. held by the partnership between Alpha Phi Alpha Greenville Foundation and Furman University since 2007. The Beloved Community is a concept spoken about by Dr. King as the ideal aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement.
This competition is named in a honor of Mr. Joseph Vaughn, the first African-American student enrolled at Furman in 1965. Vaughn was a Greenville native and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and was well known for his language and oratory skills. "He was a person who knew the English language and how to use it." said Chandra Dillard, Director of Community Relations at Furman. "You would often need to refer to a dictionary after hearing his speeches". Furman University commemorating 50 years of campus desegregation.
Community volunteers served as judges and Upsilon Alpha Chapter, the local College Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at USC Upstate had roles as presiding host and tabulator during the event. Below are this year's winners and a list of all of participants. Thank you to all of our contestants and their families as well as our great sponsors for the financial support they gave for this event. 2015 Joseph Vaughn Competition Orators
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