The "New & Stories" link brings you up-to-
date with what is happening on the team.
The "History" link focuses on our background.
The "Mission" link describes the purpose of
the program and the "Values" link explains
what we hope to accomplish. Finally, the
"Organization" link discusses how our program is put together and the "Affiliations" link takes you to our regional and national memberships.
Each year, approximately 30 students participate in our program. Some students are more active than others and aspire to national or even international competition. These students may attend up to 16 tournaments in a year. Other students aspire to learn to speak better and be competitive in regional or local competition, these students may attend only one or two tournaments
or they may chose to compete in six or so. The level of involvement depends on the student's interests and goals.
Our program is managed by two co-directors of forensics, Professor Amanda Feller & Dr. Edward Inch. Both are full-time fauclty members in the Department of Communication & Theatre. In addition, our program is supported with a forensics assistant, Dr. Peter Grosvenor, who is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Political Science. Our task is to design a program that is able to educate our students and compete effectively in competition throughout the United States as well as internationally.
Edward S. Inch has directed PLU's forensics program since 1986. He currently serves as co-director of forensics and department chair. Inch debated at Western Washington University in "National Debate Tournament" style and began his teaching career as the Director of Debate at the University of Oregon. His PhD is from the University of Washington in Cold War studies and the deconstruction of war.
Amanda E. Feller has been at PLU since 2000 and came to PLU after directing Portland State University's Speech and Debate program for five years. She competed in "Cross Examination Debate Style" (as well as most individual events) at the Univesity of Denver and coupled with her BA in Theatre she has been both a successful debate and individual events coach. Her PhD (scheduled for completion in Spring 2002) focuses on organizational transformation and will be awarded by the California Institute for Integral Studies.
Peter C. Grosvenor earned his PhD from the London School of Economics and has worked as a policy analyst for the British Parliament as well as the Trades Union Congress in Great Britain. Grosvenor came to PLU in 1995 and has taught political systems, political thought, and international relations since. He directs our research and topic briefings.
We are also fortunate that many of our alums regularly come and assist with our program, judge at tournaments, and listen to practice rounds. And, beyond that, many of our faculty take time to work with student speeches and listen to debates.
