Madison College Students Make a Difference in the Classroom

An old episode of “Frasier” depicts Niles Crane’s unsuccessful attempt to extinguish a fire on his couch. Thrown off-balance by the fire extinguisher’s back pressure, Niles sprays CO2 everywhere except on the fire.

Students taking speech at the Reedsburg campus this summer will be better prepared for such an emergency, thanks to Ken Block’s demonstration speech.

Block, a firefighter with 17 years of experience, delivered an informative, well-organized speech to fulfill the requirements of an assignment, but his primary motive was clear—to spread the word about fire safety. After presenting essential information about the various types of fire extinguishers and their intended use, Ken led his classmates to a parking lot where he demonstrated proper technique: take a wide stance, hold the extinguisher with a firm grip, and direct its spray at the base of the fire.

He encouraged other students to try one of the fire extinguishers he brought, and several of them accepted the challenge. Under Ken’s direction, they gained first-hand experience, which will enable them to use a fire extinguisher properly, should the need ever arise.

“Ken is typical of the firefighters enrolled in my classes over the years,” stated instructor Bob Potter, “he uses speaking opportunities to further his mission of saving lives.”

Madison College students bring a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom. Highly interactive courses, such as speech, enable students to share their knowledge using communication tools of the discipline they are studying.

Perhaps “Dr. Niles Crane,” the eminent psychiatrist portrayed on “Frasier,” should have attended the summer session of speech at our Reedsburg campus!