Gustavus Adolphus College senior Phil Helt has been chosen by a committee of faculty, staff, and students to speak at the College’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 29. Helt will graduate with a degree in Communication Studies and History.
Helt, a native of Gladstone, Mo., is a four-year member of the Gustavus forensics team. During Helt’s four years, the forensics team developed into one of the premier programs in the country – placing in the top 10 at the American Forensics Association’s National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET) the past two years.
Individually, Helt was named to the 2011 AFA-NIET All-American Team. He was a three-time semifinalist and a three-time quarterfinalist at the AFA-NIET. He was also a state champion in Oratory and Editorial Impromptu at the 2011 Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association State Championships.
Helt is a member of four honor societies including Phi Beta Kappa, Lambda Pi Eta (Communication Studies), Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science), and Pi Kappa Delta (Forensics). He was the recipient of a 2010 Paul Magnuson Award for Service and Leadership and the 2011 John E. Braun Award for Outstanding Achievement in Communication Studies.
Besides forensics, Helt has also been involved in GAC TV, Big Partner Little Partner, the Communication Studies Club, the Senior Class Legacy Committee, Student Senate, and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
After graduating from Gustavus, Helt plans on returning to his home state of Missouri to serve in the Teach for America program in Kansas City.
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