It's not everyday that a new student organization forms and has the impact that Scotspeak! has had on Monmouth College.

Entering its third year, Scotspeak! has been one of the most influential student organizations. The group was founded for students, by students in the Fall semester of 2002.

New student Ron Bronson, Jr., came to Monmouth with the idea of creating a debate team. He realized that history wasn't on his side - the school's forensics program had been dormant for thirty years prior - but he ignored the odds and moved forward.

Things got off to a slow start, but gradually more and more people began to notice the fledging debate team. In September 2002, with no budget, the Monmouth College Debate Team competed at the Purdue Boilermaker Special Debate Tournament in West Lafayette, Indiana. At that tournament, MC's novice entry advanced to the elimination round.

In October of 2002, Kathryn Thompson - a transfer student herself - created Monmouth's Model Illinois Government club and integrated the group into Scotspeak. With the help of Dr. Jon Carlson, Model United Nations was added that month. It was the creation of ThinkLab - MC's Quiz Bowl team that would turn Scotspeak! into a force to be reckoned with.

Under the direction of Michael Fanucce and later Ryan Schrodt, ThinkLab grew to be an organization within the organization that was now known as Scotspeak! In November of 2002, the group boasted over 50 members.

Later that year, Scotspeak! hosted a Valentine's Day raffle and under the direction of President William McKinley (yes, that was his name) the group managed to fundraise enough money to send the Model UN group to New Orleans.  Ryan Schrodt ended the year as President of Scotspeak, as founder Ron Bronson stepped away at the beginning of 2003, choosing to let the new members of the megagroup decide the course of the organization. In April 2003, the group was named Organization of the Year of Monmouth College.

In 2003-04, Kathryn Thompson was elected the first female President of Scotspeak. She was also the first president to serve an entire school year and under her direction the group took more strides. The newly reorganized MC Forensics Team hosted its first tournament - on campus. ThinkLab hosted two tournaments, including a high school tournament that was a success. MC Forensics traveled to Colorado Springs for a huge tournament and had a solid showing.

Model Illinois Government attended its second straight state conference in Springfield in February and in March, debaters from Oxford University spent a few days in Monmouth visiting classes and showcasing their skills. A mixed team of two MC debaters and one from Oxford won the evening debate exhibition.

In April 2004, the group was again named Organization of the Year. 2004 also marked the second straight year that a Scotspeak member was elected to the presidency of Student Senate - with Ryan Schrodt, following Allison Costello as President of the student body. Scotspeak members were instrumental in the development of the new student constitution.

In 2004-05, Brandie Miller assumes the helm as President of Scotspeak. She joined the group when it was just the debate team in 2002, became active in ThinkLab and served 2003-04 as the Treasurer. She is the first person to go "through the ranks" of the organization and the hope is, with more strong leadership, teamwork and effort, Scotspeak will continue to leave its mark on Monmouth College to benefit future generations of students.