McNeese’s Forensics Team Finds Success
McNeese State University’s Forensics Team had a successful fall.
The forensics team, sometimes referred to as the speech and debate team, traveled to Texas as part of the Texas Forensic Intercollegiate Association and as far as Portland, Oregon, to compete. Most recently, the team competed in the Texas Forensic Intercollegiate Association Championship in Tyler, Texas, and earned several awards. Based on the team’s performance this semester, four students have qualified for the American Forensics Association, a prestigious national tournament.
The priority of the forensics team is for students to gain lifelong public speaking skills that will help them advance their lives and careers, and competing is not a requirement, according to Tryfon Boukouvidis, instructor in the Mass Communication Department and forensics team director. Seventeen of the 23 team members have competed this semester. No prior experience in forensics is required to join the team.
“When we travel, students learn more than how to compete in various events. They also learn how to act professionally and operate as members of a group that proudly represents McNeese,” said Boukouvidis. “The students gain valuable leadership skills.”
Competition events included after dinner speaking, poetry interpretation, dramatic interpretation, extemporaneous and impromptu speaking and debate.
This is the second year for Boukouvidis as the director of the team and the assistant director and debate coach is Morgan LeBleu.
“My predecessor and a forensics legend, Robert Markstrom, led the team for 25 years and he is still teaching at McNeese. He has been immensely helpful since my first day as the director,” Boukouvidis said. “He was the coach when Morgan and I were student members of McNeese forensics.”
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