Elizabeth McWhorter-Harden Forensics Alumni Association

Western Kentucky University's award-winning speech and debate program, the school's oldest student organization, formed an alumni group that bears the name of a 1956 graduate and champion debater.  The new alumni group will be called the Elizabeth McWhorter Harden Forensics Alumni Association.

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Website Update

2009 Forensic Team Awards

May 7th, 2009

At the conclusion of each school year, the WKU Forensics Team honors the dedication of its member students with a collection of team awards. This tradition includes recognition for success in competition, academic achievement, and community service. In attendance were university President, Gary Ransdell; Provost, Dr. Barbara Burch; Dean of Potter College, Dr. David Lee; Potter College Asst. Dean, Dr. Sally Ray; Honors College Director, Dr. Craig Cobane; and former Director of Forensics, Dr. Randall Capps. The 2009 WKU Forensics Team Awards are as follows:

• Elizabeth McWhorter-Harden Oratory Award: Rachel Wigginton
• Barbara Burch Debate Award: Liz Mullins and Brian Bloss
• Limited Prep Award: Jessica Furgerson
• Interpretation Award: Joele Denis
• Scholastic Award: Rachel Wigginton and Brian Bloss
• Overall Award: Lauren Nelson
• Outstanding First Year Student: Frank Murdock, Mario Nguyen, and Maggie Woodward
• Service Award: Adam Swanson
• Randall Capps Award: Brian Bloss
• J. Richard Oexmann Award: Matt Whitman and Frank Murdock
• Patrick Henry Vincent Award: Jessica Furgerson
• William E. Bivin Award: Ganer Newman
• Trace Scholarship: Robert Whittley

Of particular note are our Scholastic Award winners, Rachel Wigginton and Brian Bloss. They are both graduating and pursuing masters degrees at, respectively, California State University: Long Beach and West Texas A&M.

 

Hall of Fame Inductees and KY Speaker of the Year

The Elizabeth McWhorter-Harden Forensic Alumni Association hosted it's first annual Kentucky Speaker of the Year awards ceremony, also using the opportunity for it's own Hall of Fame induction. This marks the first of many inductees in the years to come. The inaugural class includes Dr. Elizabeth McWhorter-Harden, Mr. Randall Capps, and Dr. Barbara Burch. Also in attendance was Kentucky Speaker of the House, Jody Richards, who received the first Kentucky Speaker of the Year award. This award is conferred annually for excellence in communication.

photo album

Archive News

Photo collection added to History section Mr. Randall Capps, upcoming entrant into the association's Hall of Fame, has submitted to the association a collection of photographs from the 1940s to the mid 1950s. You can find that immediately below. The Randall Capps Collection

Speaker of the Year nomination The nomination details for the KENTUCKY SPEAKER OF THE YEAR are now available in the link below. We are very proud to provide this honor, and look forward to reading about this year's nominees. Kentucky Speaker of the Year

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