PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES The membership of PKD is composed of individuals united in the ideal of free speech - the art of persuasion, beautiful and just. For nearly a century, PKD members through research, leadership, and service have nurtured, encouraged, and promoted higher ethics and increased proficiency in the use of the spoken word as the means of clarifying, guiding, and protecting the democratic process of our American heritage. PKD sponsors and co-sponsors programs at the annual National Communication Association convention. In addition, a variety of awards are presented on an annual basis. These include the Pi Kappa Delta Hall of Fame, the L.E. Norton Award for Outstanding Scholarship, the John Shields Award for Outstanding Contributions to Pi Kappa Delta, the E.R. Nichols Award for Outstanding Contributions to Furtherance of the Forensic Discipline, the R. David Ray Award for Outstanding New PKD Chapter, the Carolyn Keefe Award for Outstanding Alumni, and the Bob Derryberry Award for Outstanding New Forensic Educator.