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Lafayette has established itself as a national power in forensics, placing third in debate and earning a speech award while competing with more than 70 schools at the National Forensic Association’s annual championship tournament.
Nine students represented Lafayette’s Forensics Society at the tournament, held April 15-19 at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. Leading the debate effort were Trustee Scholarship recipient Erik Heins ’05 (Center Moriches, N.Y.), a double major in philosophy and government & law, who finished as a national semifinalist, and Jennifer Rusak ’04 (Ashley, Pa.), a double major in psychology and philosophy, who finished as a national quarterfinalist.
The debate topic focused on whether the federal government should place regulations on industrial pollution. Lincoln-Douglas competitors were evaluated on their analysis, use of evidence, and ability to organize, deliver, and refute arguments.
Joe Borland ’06 (Wilkes Barre, Pa.), a government and law major, was a national semifinalist in extemporaneous speech, giving a talk that answered the question “Can moderate job growth insure a win for Bush in November?” Extemporaneous speech contestants selected one of three topics on current national and international issues or events and had 30 minutes to prepare a speech of five to seven minutes on it.
Also contributing for Lafayette were Benjamin Berlow ’06 (Palmerton, Pa.), a psychology major; Marquis Scholar Colby Block ’06 (Boca Raton, Fla.), a government and law major; Marquis Scholar Christian Dato ’07 (Poway, Calif.); government and law major Paul Kritzler ’05 (Monkton, Md.); Marquis Scholar Kim Moore ’06 (Longwood, Fla.), a psychology major; and Bill O’Brien ’07 (Elmont, N.Y.). Scott Placke, director of forensics, and Jon Honiball, debate coach, accompanied the students.
“This tournament demonstrated the culmination of the hard work our team has put into this program over the years,” says Berlow. “I was impressed to see how quickly our school has improved over the years, not only in awards, but also as a team and in reputation. There is no question that Lafayette is a major competitor on the national circuit.”
The Forensics Society’s performance marked several milestones for Lafayette at the national tournament: the first team award in debate, the first award in a speech event, and the first advancement by a competitor past double octa-finals in debate.
“This is absolutely amazing success,” says Placke, noting that Heins’ status as a semifinalist places him as the third or fourth collegiate best debate competitor in the nation. “To get to the semifinalist position, Erik had to win four of his six preliminary rounds, in addition to a double octa-final, octa-final, and quarterfinal. The first and second place competitors graduate this year, so he and the other semifinalist would be considered the top debaters during next year’s competitive season.”
As a quarterfinalist in debate, Rusak can be considered among the fifth and eighth top collegiate debaters in the country. In addition, she is one of two students who earned the right to represent Pennsylvania this weekend in the Interstate Oratorical Association’s annual tournament, the oldest oratorical contest in the United States. The organization has sponsored an annual contest for two contestants from each state since 1872. Placke will accompany her.
As a semifinalist, Borland is ranked among the seventh through 12th top competitors in extemporaneous speech.
“That is pretty amazing, considering he is only a sophomore,” notes Placke. “To get to the semifinal round, he had to be one of the top 24 speakers in preliminary rounds among over 160 speakers. He then had to place in the top half of that group to progress from the quarterfinal to the semifinal.”
Other highlights of the season included:
The students and coaches of Forensics Society returned from the national championship tournament with enthusiasm about the performances and Lafayette’s program.
Borland: “The Lincoln-Douglas performance was unbelievable; to be one of the top three teams within the U.S. is very impressive. I did not expect to do as well as I did. The break (advanced) rounds were a wild ride. I was very proud to be walking around the national tournament and hear other schools talking about the strength of the Lafayette team. The team has effectively made the step from a regional competitor to a national competitor.”
Rusak: “As a senior at nationals, my experience was bittersweet. I will miss competition and the camaraderie of my team, but I am proud to see how far Lafayette has come in the past four years. I am happy to see that the team is one of the most skilled and talented in the nation.”
Dato: “My first national experience can only be described as incredible. The sheer magnitude of competition, education, and excitement was nothing like I’ve ever seen before. As usual, the coaches and competitors on the team excelled in all categories. I look forward to next year’s successes.”
Kritzler: “It took a lot of hard work to get to where we are today. I can’t wait to see where this team can go.”
Block: “The experience at nationals was so rewarding. Not only did we get to see great stuff, but we were also responsible for some of it.”
Moore: “I was very proud of the team. We worked hard all year and our work paid off. I am glad that we were able to have Jen, a senior, do so well at her last team tournament. And Erik, placing in the top four, should do even better next year. Joe, breaking to semis as a sophomore, shows how good our coaches are.”
O’Brien: “I learned a lot at my first nationals. The hard competition allowed me to see what I need to do to get better. As always, I am impressed with the dedication of my teammates and coaches.”
Placke: “Everyone at Lafayette is so supportive of our program. We could not have been as successful as we were this year without their invaluable support. With this continued support we will continue to grow and grow.”
Honiball: “I am so proud of these guys. They are ferocious competitors who want to win. But they are fun too. I wouldn’t be doing this if the students weren’t so fun to be around.”
Team alumna Rachel Korpanty ’03: “I am so incredibly proud of the team. This was a perfect ending to a wonderful year — the best forensics season that I can recall. This is the most fulfilling legacy that I can think of, and I know that Jen and the other upperclassmen feel the same way.”
The members of Forensics Society are active in other areas of campus life.
Block, who serves as secretary of Forensics Society, is working with the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office to create a Youth Court Program. She is former public relations chair for Student Government and current adviser for Freshman Class Council, to which she belonged as a first-year student. She is in her second year as a member of the Dance Team and participates in College Theater, playing the role of Johnny in last year’s production of The Club. She is also a member of the Marquis Players, a student group that produces an annual musical to benefit charity, and was choreographer for this year’s production of Sugar. She also is a supervisor for Recreational Services, a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, and a resident adviser in the South College residence hall.
Berlow is editorial assistant for the Israeli Studies Forum, president of Hillel Society, treasurer of both College Democrats and QuEST (Questioning Established Sexual Taboos), and secretary of Marquis Players. He also is an America Reads tutor, a Jewish song leader, and a member of Association of Lafayette Feminists.
Kritzler is president of History Club, Games Club, and Haven, a student group stressing an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle, as well as a member of Lafayette Communications Union and various intramural sports teams.
O’Brien is the Residence Hall Council representative for McKeen Hall, a member of The Lafayette (school newspaper) staff, Marquis Players, History Club, and Arts Society, and a DJ on campus radio station WJRH.
Dato is vice president of College Democrats and a member of Lafayette Christian Fellowship, History Club, and Haven. He also is a Civil War re-enactor.
Rusak is president for Alternative Spring Break Club and the student chapter of Psi Chi, the national honorary society for psychology, and is a member of Lafayette Communications Union and Lafayette Intercultural Networking Council.
Moore is president of the Dry Surfers, a special-interest living group whose members share interests in technology and a substance-free lifestyle, and a member of College Democrats and Psychology Club. She also plays violin in the orchestra.
Heins is a member of the varsity fencing team, Haven, and Games Club.
Lafayette’s Forensics Society was founded and initially led by Bruce Allen Murphy, Fred Morgan Kirby Professor of Civil Rights.
Past forensics competitions:
Feb. 28, Nassau Community College
Feb. 20-21, Ursinus College
Feb. 14-15, Suffolk University
Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Cornell University
January interim session tournaments
Dec. 6-7, University of Rhode Island
Nov. 15-16, New York University
Nov. 8, St. Anselm College
Nov. 1-2, Bloomsburg University
Oct. 18-19, Towson University
Oct. 10-11, West Chester University
Sept. 19-20, Purdue University and Sept. 27, Bloomsburg Novice Tournament
2002-03 National Tournament