CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s Forensics (speech and debate) Team attended the International Forensics Association (IFA) Annual Speech and Debate Tournament at the University of Utah International Campus, Incheon, South Korea.
Senior Emerson Pearson, a Political Science major from Beaverton, took fourth place in the Nuance Event honoring South Korea and fourth place in Open Impromptu Speaking. They also competed in Open Persuasive Speaking and Open IPDA Debate.
“This was the last tournament of the season and the last tournament of Emerson’s undergraduate career,” said Mark Porrovecchio, director of the team. “It was wonderful to see them end the season with these wins against some amazing competition.”
The IFA hosts a tournament for students from the United States in a different foreign location each year. Previous locations have included Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; and Dublin, Ireland. The goal is to provide a competitive forensics tournament that is coupled with a once-in-a-lifetime cultural/educational experience.
The tournament featured over twenty schools from across the United States, including San Diego State University, Calif., Southern Methodist University, University Park, Texas; Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey; and Colorado College, Colorado Springs. It also featured competitors and judges from local schools Kyunghee University and George Mason University Korea.
The team was coached by graduate student Megan Baus from Salem. Baus is a former competitor for OSU and a current MAIS graduate student in the Speech Communication area of the School of Communication.
“South Korea was an amazing experience for both Emerson and Megan,” continued Porrovecchio. “Being able to take talented students to the IFA tournament each year is incredibly humbling.”
Celebrating its 132nd season, OSU Forensics is one of the oldest clubs on campus and a member of the Performing Arts Board in the School of Communication. The team is open to all students in good academic standing regardless of experience or academic background. If you are a student interested in participating, or a member of the community who would like to support the team, please contact Porrovecchio at [email protected].
CONTACT:
Mark Porrovecchio
205 Shepard Hall`
737-8230
Photo: Emerson Pearson taking a break from competition on the University of Utah International Campus, Incheon, South Korea.