Gordon State College Toastmasters Club Celebrates 10 Years
By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager
Gordon State College Toastmasters Club celebrated its 10-year anniversary on April 8, 2024, with a special ceremony at the Highlander Room in the Student Center building.
The celebration was attended by GSC Toastmasters alumni, charter members, current members, and leaders from its district and division team.
According to Dr. Tonya Y. Moore, distinguished toastmaster and GSC executive director of external relations and strategic initiatives, Vanessa Burton utilized her leadership skills from the club to encourage an environment of fellowship and growth within the group. Burton is the current president of GSC Toastmasters and a business major from Fulton County.
“GSC Toastmasters offers a supportive environment for members to conquer public speaking fears and sharpen their presentation skills. Additional benefits include boosting confidence, enhancing critical thinking abilities, and improving listening skills,” Burton said.
The Toastmasters International charter was established at GSC in April of 2014 by Whitney Bradley, a former GSC student who became the founding president. Bradley was inspired by the program during a resume workshop led by Moore. She then researched the process of developing the club on campus and chartered it with 20 members.
“I can't believe a decade has passed. Every year, I'm inspired by our students who organically develop into better leaders and communicators,” Moore said. “The college environment is ideal for hosting programs like Toastmasters because our students are already in a learning mindset. The relationships I've built over the years mean a lot to me. Our students are achieving incredible things in both the community and corporate settings.”
GSC Toastmasters is a part of District 14 that includes 131 active corporate and community clubs within the state of Georgia. The group maintains its weekly meetings on the Barnesville campus.
“Having the ability to communicate clearly has allowed me to be understood better during cross-cultural sharing, and at times when I did not share the same language with those I was speaking to, it has allowed me to better interpret other’s intentions,” said Susan Hoffman, club member and GSC business major from Lamar County. “It has given me confidence in expressing my thoughts and ideals as I explore other parts of the world.”
According to its official website, Toastmasters International has a mission to build confidence and teach public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. In a supportive community or corporate environment, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback. Founded in 1924, the organization is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.
For more information, please visit the GSC Toastmasters website.