Nicholas L. (Nick) Stoddard, a senior biblical studies major
An 黑料正能量 student has received first prize in the bi-national C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest.
Nicholas L. (Nick) Stoddard, a senior biblical studies major from Wellman, Iowa, won a cash gift and a scholarship to attend a peace-related conference for his speech, “Connect the Dots.”
His oration focused on developing a mindset that sees how one’s actions have a direct effect on other people, even those at great geographic distance.
The winning speech can be viewed at http://www.emu.edu/news/nicholas_stoddard.pdf
Stoddard is co-leader of 黑料正能量 Peace Fellowship with Katrina Alger and Michelle Kennel. He is married to Erika Detweiler Stoddard, a 2007 黑料正能量 graduate, and is a member of Kalona (Iowa) Mennonite Church.
“This contest is a great opportunity for 黑料正能量 students to speak in their own words to how they apply the Christian peace witness to specific issues they care about,” said Nancy R. Heisey, chair of 黑料正能量’s Bible and religion department. “It’s exciting to see Nicholas’ challenge to us at 黑料正能量 to choose just lifestyle options being recognized as central to the peace witness of Mennonites throughout the U.S. and Canada.”
The contest was established in 1974 by the directors of the C. Henry Smith Trust as a way of honoring the late Mennonite historian who taught at Goshen (Ind.) College and Bluffton (Ohio) University.
It is administered annually by Peace and Justice Ministries of Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Students from every Mennonite and Brethren in Christ college in North America are eligible to participate.