Some of you may not know that our debate squad has ties to the beginnings of this university, way back to 1906…when Dr. Virginia Craig began and was the first coach of the debate team. Since that time, we’ve enjoyed MUCH success with the debate team and this year is no exception. Every year, collegiate debate teams have tournaments, just like college basketball. They have the National Debate Tournament (NDT) and the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) each year around spring break. Teams of two speakers advance with each round and they move towards rounds such as the sweet 16, elite 8, and final 4. This year the 2008 NDT was in Fullerton, CA, March 26-April 1, 2008 (from the debate webpage)
Missouri State’s Martin Osborn and Clay Webb reached the semifinals, tying the record from 1973 set by Tom Black and Jon Jackson. They competed as a 1st round large bid bid to the 2008 NDT, which was the 2nd time Missouri State secured a 1st round bid. Their run included a win over Emory, who had been 8-0 in prelims, top seed, and 2nd in the Copeland voting based on their year-long performance.
Missouri State’s Michael Mapes and Meggie reached the octofinals, which we believe means this is the first time Missouri State has advanced two teams to the NDT elimination rounds. Their 6-2 run through prelims included a 3-0 win over Berkeley, who had been the Copeland Award winner (the top vote getter in the 1st round voting process).
Martin Osborn won 1st speaker, surpassing Bill Maynard’s previous Missouri State record (2nd speaker, 1955). Osborn was also the 1st speaker at the CEDA Nationals the week before, and is the first debater in history to win BOTH top speaker awards in the same year. Michael Mapes was 17th speaker. The field included 156 debaters.
[singlepic=16,320,240,,]CONGRATS TO OUR DEBATE TEAM, including Martin “Ozzie” Osborn and Clay Webb for their final 4 appearance. Here is Dr. Eric Morris having just openned the traveling trophy/cup for Top Speaker at the NDT. Soon we will engrave Osborn’s name on it and it will be on display for the next year in the COM office, College of Arts and Letters office, and hopefully the President’s office.
HONORS RECEPTION reminder
Please RSVP to Dr. Janis King to attend next week’s honors reception to induct new members of the Honor Society, award the COM scholarships, and recognize the Debate Team for their achievements this year. Monday, April 14 at 3:00, PSU 400. This is a time to celebrate our accomplishments within the department. Hope to see you there!
Do a good deed…DUNK THE DEAN.
[singlepic=14,320,240,,] Friday April 11, noon-2:00pm you can dunk the dean of the college of arts and letters, Dr. Carey Adams for $2.00 for one, and $5 for 3 attempts. Dr. Adams is the previous department head of Communication, so I”m sure you’ll want to try and get him all wet…and it’s for a good cause. The college’s Relay For Life team, Art with a Heart is putting on this event to support their team. Even if you aren’t a good throw, surely you’ll want to attend and see this awesome site! There will be a bake sale, games, a kiss booth (?) and more.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE: Seeking Solutions: Conflict, violence, and the courage to change.
Three years ago, Missouri State University commemorated its centennial year. The keystone of the celebration was the inaugural Public Affairs Conference. During 2007, we hosted the third conference: One World, Many Voices. The fourth annual Public Affairs Conference will convene April 15-18, and its theme is Seeking Solutions: Conflict Violence and the Courage to Change.
As a communication major or minor, we know there are many ways that communication influences, is influenced by, and can impact on conflict between people. This conference deals with conflict and violence at many levels, so pick a panel or guest speaker to attend that you can learn from and apply communication principles. Consider the interpersonal communication implications at two Wednesday sessions at 9:00am, Is violence a part of human nature? or at 10:30, Dealing with the effects of violence and trauma. Or two panels Thursday at 9:30am, you might think more rhetorically at the panel Why Remember? Public memorials as a response to violence, or The state of public discourse. There are many more besides these, so look at the program and pick at least one event to attend. Tell your faculty members about what you learned, maybe even write a short reflection on it and turn it in.