Written by: Mafé Brooks; Edited by: Natalie Kates
Florida State University’s College of Communication & Information (FSU CCI) welcomed over 75 alumni for the Debate & Speech 65th Anniversary Celebration, a three-day event held on April 11-13, 2014.
The reunion kicked off on Friday, April 11, with a reception at the FSU President’s House hosted by Interim President, Dr. Garnett Stokes, who is a former debater herself. Her remarks highlighted why having a debate and speech program in a university contributes to a more enriching college experience.
Dr. Stokes also mentioned that according to research, there is an important and consistent link between participation in debate and professional success. Debate & Speech team members are able to develop skills in public speaking, leadership, critical thinking, time management and advanced writing and research, as well as the ability to organize practical arguments and present evidence. These abilities are integral to the success of 21st century students.
Many alumni who attended this reunion are now enjoying or retired from prosperous careers, including as lawyers, business people, journalists and other kinds of leaders in their respective fields. Several of them indicated how their former Debate & Speech team participation while at FSU provided essential skills which helped them towards reaching professional and personal achievements.
A dinner celebration was held on Saturday, April 12, at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center. CCI Dean, Dr. Larry Dennis, welcomed the alumni who visited from all over the country for the 65th Debate & Speech Anniversary festivities. He also paid tribute to the late Dr. Gregg Phifer, former faculty member from the School of Communication and debate coach. Dr. Phifer is considered the father of FSU’s modern Debate & Speech program.
During the class reminiscences, Jeanette Meister (‘53) fondly remembered Dr. Phifer who was her coach when she was on the team. She and her debate partner initially joined because of this professor’s encouragement. Meister even brought a framed certificate to show of her first ever win under Dr. Phifer’s tutelage and proudly showed it to the audience members.
A special guest for the evening was Dr. Marjorie Turnbull, former Florida House of Representatives member and wife of the late Dr. Gus Turnbull. Dr. Turnbull was an award-winning debater and former FSU Provost who was very supportive of the Debate & Speech program. It was well suited that the dinner was held at a venue named after him, with his wife in attendance.
Dr. Marilyn Young, former debate coach and the Wayne Minnick for Excellence in Communication professor emerita, was honored by many of the alumni that evening. Representatives from the Class of 1960, ’70, ‘80 and the ‘90’s expressed their gratitude to Marilyn by sharing memories of their time with her on the team. An alumni spoke from each decade during which they participated. Their stories were filled with incredible adventures on the road to competing in (and often winning) tournaments.
At the dinner, Dr. Young announced a campaign for the FSU Debate & Speech program and invited the alumni to actively participate how they can. With dwindling support from the state’s budget and other university funding sources, she said that “the only way to ensure that the 150-year tradition continues and provide current students the opportunity to successfully and consistently compete in tournaments is through the philanthropic support of its alumni.”
Gifts of any amount can be made to the Dr. Marilyn Young Endowment for Intercollegiate Debate, which was partially established in her honor by debate alumnus John Rains III and his wife Karan. If you would like to help the program move beyond short-term funding and find a long-term solution that would provide support for faculty coaches, travel expenses and other resources, contact Mafe Brooks, Debate & Speech Campaign Director, at mafe.brooks@cci.fsu.edu.
The reunion’s last event where final memories were shared was a breakfast on Sunday, April 13. It was hosted at the Tallahassee home of Dr. Valliere Richard Auzenne, faculty member from FSU’s Film School and donor and friend of the Debate & Speech program. “Being reminded of and remembering our college days, seeing Tallahassee and FSU again; learning about the careers of former debate team members”, these are the reasons why I came back for the reunion, said Leeanne Meadows, class of 1967.
David Norrell, now a retired lawyer, remarked that returning to campus after 40 years and having the opportunity to reconnect with his former debate partners as well as to catch up with other alumni was an experience he will always treasure.
Find a video of the Debate & Speech 65th Anniversary Celebration event at: youtube.com/watch?v=3L2-e5K1k4I&feature=youtu.be
Find out more about how you can help the FSU Debate & Speech team at: give.cci.fsu.edu/greatest-needs/debate-forensics/how-you-can-help
