Minnesota State University Ð Mankato Forensic Program
2003-2004 Year End Report
A total of 32 students participated on the Forensic Team.
A. Seniors: Rebecca Rick, Jon Surdo, Heather Kaiser, Kunwar Singh
B. Juniors: Cynthia Saba, Ali Khokhar, Shahzad Anwar, Megan Kikalos, Nicolette Anderson, Melanie Nelmark, Melissa Specken, Matthew Xavier, Lianna Erikson, Shanna Zuelch
C. Sophomores: David Brennan, Matthew Collie, Kimberly Cossairt, Amanda Hoff, Karie Menser, Hassan Siddiqi, Lindsey Thompson, Kelly Wageman, Jennifer Green
D. Freshmen: Tom Bergstrom, Hannah Berreau, Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Jeff Holden, Joshua Randall, Emily Kofoed, Isaac Loomer, Renee Norman, Tiffany Shelton
II. Number of faculty assigned to the program
Two faculty members are assigned to work with the program. Each faculty member receives a 3 CH release for his/her work with the program. The DOF receives an additional 3CH release in the spring.
A. Director of Forensics Ð Dr. Leah White, Assistant Professor
B. Assistant Director of Forensics Ð Brian Klosa, Instructor
Additionally, the Chair of the Department, Dan Cronn-Mills also provided volunteer coaching.
III. Number of Graduate Students assigned to the program
Seven graduate students were given ½ appointments to work with the forensic program.
A. Fall:
Desiree Rowe, David Nadolski, Alisa Jamshidi, Amanda Young, Seth Smith,
Allison Achterkirch, Suzanne Loen
B. Spring:
Desiree Rowe, David Nadolski, Alisa Jamshidi, Seth Smith, Allison Achterkirch,
Suzanne Loen
A. Individual Events Tournaments Attended (see appendix A)
The MSU-Mankato Team attended 33 IE tournaments this year. Of these, 31
were Regional invitational tournaments and 2 were National Championship
Tournaments. The team qualified 13 people in 28 events for the
AFA-NIET Tournament, and sent Kunwar Singh to the Interstate Oratorical
Association National Tournament as one of the State of Minnesota Representatives.
1. Total number of entries for the year
The team was entered in a total of 709 events at tournaments throughout the year.
2. Total number of speeches given during the year
Attending 33 tournaments allowed the team to present over 1795 speeches during the year. This number does not represent the numerous practice speeches students give while preparing for competition.
B. Parliamentary Debate Tournaments Attended
The MSU-Mankato team attended 2 debate only tournaments this year and also participated in debate at 4 primarily IE tournaments.
1. Total number of rounds debated
The team debated in a total of 68 rounds of competition at tournaments throughout the year. This number does not include additional practice rounds debated in preparation for tournaments.
2. Total number of speeches given
More than 204 debate speeches were given by the team at tournaments throughout the year. This number of speaking opportunities does not recognize the innumerable practice speeches given by students as they prepare for competition.
The competitive success of the MSU-Mankato Forensic Program continues to improve, as is shown by the extensive list of awards received this year. The competitive highlight of the year was winning the State Tournament for the 3rd year in a row. Additionally, we received the Greg LaPanta quality award at the tournament. This award recognizes the team with the highest quality performance based on the number of entries they had at the tournament. Although we did not meet our goal of finishing in the top 20 at the AFA-NIET, we did finish 26th.
Team Sweepstakes, TCFL #4
Team Sweepstakes, MN State Tournament
Matthew Collie, Poetry, Winona
Ali Khokhar, DI, TCFL #1
Jon Surdo, POI, TCFL #1
Karie Menser, Prose, TCFL #1
Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Informative, Bethany
Cynthia Saba, Poetry, Bethany
Jon Surdo, POI, VFL #1
Lindsey Thompson, CA, VFL #1
Shanna Zuelch, ADS, TCFL #2
Tom Bergstrom, DI, TCFL #2
Matthew Collie, Extemp, Stout
Matthew Collie, Impromptu, Stout
Kim Cossairt, ADS, TCFL #3
Matthew Collie, CA, TCFL #3
Becky Rick, Poetry, Wartburg
Matthew Collie, Impromptu, DuPage
Heather Kaiser, Impromptu, TCFL #4
Heather Kaiser, Poetry, TCFL #4
Karie Menser, POI, TCFL #4
Kim Cossairt, CA, TCFL #4
Karie Menser, Prose, SCSU
Karie Menser and Jon Surdo, DUO, SCSU
Ali Khokhar, POI, SCSU
Matthew Collie, CA, Eau Claire
Matthew Collie, CA, Ripon
Matthew Collie, ADS, Ripon
Ali Khokhar, DI, MN State
Cynthia Saba, Poetry, MN State
Matthew Collie, Impromptu, MN State
Matthew Collier, Extemp, MN State
Matthew Collie ADS, MN State
Karie Menser, Prose, MN State
Kunwar Singh, Oratory, MN State
David Brennan and Jon Surdo, DUO, VFL #3
Karie Menser and Jon Surdo. DUO, TCFL #5
Emily Kofoed, ADS, TCFL #5
Hassan Siddiqi, Extemp, TCFL #5
B. Second Place Awards
Team Sweepstakes, Concordia/Moorhead
Team Sweepstakes, Winona
Team Sweepstakes, TCFL #1
Team Sweepstakes, Bethany
Team Sweepstakes, Stout
Team Sweepstakes, TCFL #3
Team Sweepstakes, SCSU
Team Sweepstakes, TCFL #5
Lindsey Thompson, CA, Concordia/Moorhead
Ali Khokhar, Extemp, Concordia/Moorhead
Heather Kaiser, Persuasion, Winona
Ali Khokhar, DI, Winona
Heather Kaiser, Poetry, TCFL #1
Cynthia Saba and Becky Rick, Duo, Bethany
Heather Kaiser, Informative, Bethany
Matthew Collie, Extemp, Bethany
Tiffany Shelton, POI, Bethany
Karie Menser, Poetry, VFL #1
Lindsey Thompson, Informative, VFL #1
Jon Surdo, DI, VFL #1
Tiffany Shelton, POI, VFL #2
Lindsey Thompson, CA, VFL #2
Karie Menser, Prose, VFL #2
Lindsey Thompson, Informative, VFL #2
Heather Kaiser, Informative, MAFL #3
Becky Rick, Poetry, MAFL #3
Karie Menser, Poetry, SDSU
Matthew Collie, Extemp, MAFL #5
Heather Kaiser, Persuasion, MAFL #5
Shanna Zuelch, Impromptu, TCFL #2
Hassan Siddiqi, Extemp, TCFL #2
Matthew Collie, Poetry, TCFL #3
Ali Khokhar, Extemp, Wartburg
Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Informative, TCFL #4
Heather Kaiser, Poetry, SCSU
Heather Kaiser, Impromptu, SCSU
Jon Surdo, ADS, SCSU
Ali Khokhar, Impromptu, MN State
Tiffany Shelton, POI, MN State
Jon Surdo, ADS, MN State
Heather Kaiser, Individual Sweepstakes, MN State
Ali Khokhar, Impromptu, VFL #3
Kunwar Singh, ADS, VFL #3
Tom Bergstrom, DI, VFL #4
Dave Brennan and Jon Surdo, DUO, VFL #4
Hassan Siddiqi, Extemp, VFL #4
Jon Surdo, ADS, TCFL #5
Tiffany Shelton, DI, TCFL #5
C. Third Place Awards
Team Sweepstakes, MAFL #3
Team Sweepstakes, TCFL #2
Cynthia Saba, Poetry, Concordia/Moorhead
Lindsey Thompson, Informative, Concordia/Moorhead
Cynthia Saba, POI, Concordia/Moorhead
Ali Khokhar, DI, Concordia/Moorhead
Kim Cossairt, CA, Winona
Cynthia Saba and Becky Rick, DUO, Winona
Cynthia Saba, Poetry, Winona
Kim Cossairt, CA, TCFL #1
Heather Kaiser, Persuasion, Bethany
Tiffany Shelton, POI, VFL #1
Karie Menser, Poetry, VFL #2
Kim Cossairt, CA, VFL #1
Cynthia Saba, POI, MAFL #3
Cynthia Saba and Becky Rick, DUO, MAFL #3
Jon Surdo and Dave Brennan, DUO, SDSU
Ali Khokhar, Extemp, Stout
Tiffany Shelton, POI, Stout
Lianna Erikson, Poetry, TCFL #3
Ali Khokhar, Extemp, TCFL #3
Cynthia Saba, POI, TCFL #3
Kim Cossairt, CA, TCFL #3
Matthew Collie, CA, DuPage
Cynthia Saba, Poetry, UNL
Heather Kaiser, Impromptu, KSU
Kim Cossairt, ADS, TCFL #4
Jon Surdo, DI, TCFL #4
Ali Khokhar, DI, SCSU
Ali Khokhar, POI, Eau Claire
Matthew Collie, ADS, Eau Claire
Ali Khokhar, POI, MN State
Heather Kaiser, Impromptu, MN State
Heather Kaiser, CA, MN State
Tiffany Shelton, DI, MN State
Ali Khokhar, Individual Sweeps, MN State
Jon Surdo, Prose, VFL #3
Hassan Siddiqi, Impromptu, VFL #4
Tom Bergstrom, Prose, VFL #4
Emily Kofoed, ADS, VFL #4
D. Fourth Place Awards
Team Sweepstakes, MAFL #5
Kim Cossairt, CA, Concordia/Moorhead
Heather Kaiser, Informative, Winona
Becky Rick, Poetry, Winona
Ali Khokhar, Impromptu, TCFL #1
Ali Khokhar, Impromptu, Bethany
Ali Khokhar, Parli Speaker, Bethany
Jon Surdo, ADS, VFL #1
Kim Cossairt, CA, VFL #2
Jon Surdo, Prose, VFL #2
Tiffany Shelton, DI, VFL #2
Matthew Collie, Impromptu, MAFL #3
Heather Kaiser, Poetry, MAFL #3
Heather Kaiser, Informative, SDSU
Matthew Collie, Music Interp, Stout
Ali Khokhar, Impromptu, Stout
Jon Surdo, DI, TCFL #3
Jon Surdo and Dave Brennan, Duo, TCFL #3
Josh Randall, ADS, TCFL #3
Ali Khokhar, Impromptu, TCFL #3
Megan Kikalos, CA, TCFL #3
Ali Khokhar, POI, KSU
Ali Khokhar, POI, TCFL #4
Tom Bergstrom, DI, SCSU
Emily Kofoed and Elizabeth Drommerhausen, DUO, SCSU
Hassan Siddiqi, Impromptu, Eau Claire
Ali Khokhar, Impromptu, Ripon
Becky Rick, Poetry, MN State
Heather Kaiser, Informative, MN State
Jon Surdo and Karie Menser, DUO, MN State
Jon Surdo, POI, MN State
Kunwar Singh, ADS, MN State
Jon Surdo, DI, VFL #3
Dave Brennan, Impromptu, VFL #4
Jon Surdo, DI, VFL #4
Elizabeth Drommerhausen and Emily Kofoed, DUO, VFL #4
E. Fifth Place Awards
Team Swing Sweepstakes, Wisconsin Love Fest
Becky Rick, Poetry, Concordia/Moorhead
Jon Surdo, POI, Concordia/Moorhead
Tiffany Shelton, DI, Concordia/Moorhead
Heather Kaiser, Quadrathon, Winona
Ali Khokhar, Impromptu, Winona
Heather Kaiser, Poetry, Winona
Karie Menser, Poetry, TCFL#1
Shanna Zuelch, ADS, MSU
Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Informative, MSU
Matthew Collie, Poetry, Bethany
Kim Cossairt, ADS, VFL #1
Ali Khokhar, DI, MAFL #3
Karie Menser, Prose, MAFL #4
Cynthia Saba, Poetry, MAFL #5
Tiffany Shelton, POI, MAFL #5
Kim Cossairt, CA, Stout
Ali Khokhar, Extemp, UNI
Ali Khokhar, Impromptu, Wartburg
Matthew Collie, Extemp, DuPage
Lianna Erikson, Poetry, TCFL #4
Kim Cossairt, Kiddie Lit, SCSU
Hassan Siddiqi, Impromptu, Ripon
Heather Kaiser, Poetry, MN State
Tiffany Shelton and Karie Menser, DUO, MN State
Emily Kofoed, ADS, VFL #3
Cynthia Saba, Prose, VFL #3
Hassan Siddiqi, Extemp, VFL #3
Tom Bergstrom, Prose, TCFL #5
F. Sixth Place Awards
Team Sweepstakes, Eau Claire
Josh Randall, Extemp, Winona
Melanie Nelmark, Poetry, Winona
Tiffany Shelton, DI, MSU
Cynthia Saba, POI, Bethany
Elizabeth Drommerhausen, DI, VFL #1
Karie Menser, Prose, MAFL #5
Cynthia Saba, POI, MAFL #5
Hannah Berreau, Informative, TCFL #2
Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Informative, Stout
Tiffany Shelton, DI, Stout
Dave Brennan, Impromptu, TCFL #4
Elizabeth Drommerhausen, DI, TCFL #4
Megan Kikalos, Extemp, TCFL #4
Ali Khokhar, Extemp, SCSU
Cynthia Saba, POI, MN State
Tom Bergstrom, DI, VFL #3
Shahzad Anwar, Informative, VFL #3
Tiffany Shelton, DI, VFL #4
Emily Kofoed and Elizabeth Drommerhausen, DUO, TCFL #5
Tom Bergstrom, DI, TCFL #5
Amanda Hoff, Impromptu, TCFL #5
G. Seventh Place Awards
Tom Bergstrom, Impromptu, TCFL #2
Tom Bergstrom, Impromptu, TCFL #3
Cynthia Saba, Prose, SCSU
Emily Kofoed, ADS, SCSU
H. Semifinal Awards
Ali Khokhar and Matthew Xavier, Parli, Concordia/Moorhead
Matthew Collie, Impromptu, UT-Austin (HFO)
Lindsey Thompson and David Brennan, Parli, MN State
This year the forensic program was allocated $6,600.00 funds for Freshmen Talent Grants. $4,8000.00 of this funding was awarded in $300.00 per semester amounts. The following individuals received 2003-2004 Talent Grants:
Hannah Berreau Ð Fall and Spring
Tiffany Shelton Ð Fall and Spring
Elizabeth Drommerhausen Ð Fall and Spring
Emily Kofoed Ð Fall and Spring
Tom Bergstrom Ð Fall and Spring
Joshua Randall Ð Fall and Spring
Isaac Loomer Ð Fall and Spring
Renee Norman Ð Fall
Jeff Holden Ð Fall
During the spring semester we decided to limit the number of talent grants offered for 2004-2005 to no more than 6 awards. The scholarships are for $1100.00 and will be paid on a semester basis of $550.00 per semester
We also award the Larry Schnoor Scholarship each year. The 2003-2004 recipient was Cynthia Saba.
In addition to earning recognition in forensic competition, MSU-Mankato Forensic Program participants also excel in their academic pursuits. The average overall GPA (based on fall 2003 information) is a 3.33.
Students involved in the MSU-Mankato Forensic Program may receive course credit for their work on the team (SPEE 220). Students may earn up to 3 credits per semester. In fall 2003 17 students enrolled in SPEE 220 and 5 students enrolled in spring 2004. Students are required to meet the following criteria in order to receive at least a C in the course:
Regular attendance at team meetings and workshops
Prepare and perform at least 2 polished events
Attend weekly coaching appointments
Travel three tournament weekends
Assist with MSU tournaments & fundraising efforts
IX. Diversity Initiatives
The MSU-Mankato forensic program prides itself in being an open and accepting environment for diversity. During the 2003-2004 season we had 4 international students on the team. All of these students speak English as a second language and all of them placed in final rounds this year.
Additionally, we encourage our students to perform literature and research speech topics that deal with issues of diversity. This year Heather Kaiser competed with a persuasive speech on environmental racism, Ali Khokhar performed a POI on the Arab-American experience in the U.S. post 9/11, and Cynthia Saba performed a poetry interpretation on identity politics.
Four awards were given at this yearÕs end of the year banquet. Matthew Collie and Lindsey Thompson received the Outstanding GPA award. Joshua Randall received the Hardest Worker award. Hassan Siddiqi received the Most Improved award. Elizabeth Drommerhausen received the Rookie of the Year award. Megan Kikalos received the Team Spirit award. Matthew Collie received the MVP award.
A. Events Hosted on Campus
1. 2003 Larry Schnoor Invitational held October 17. MSU- Mankato staff and students host and administer this tournament.
2. 2004 MSU-Mankato High School Individual Events Tournament held February 28. Several regional high schools attend this tournament. MSU-Mankato Forensic staff and students host and administer this tournament.
3. A Public Debate on Iraq Reconstruction held in October 2003 as an outreach to the local and campus community.
4. 2004 Individual Events Performance Showcase held on campus as
an outreach to the campus community.
B. Voluntary Tournament Administration
In addition to hosting several of our own tournaments, the MSU-Mankato Forensic Staff often volunteer to work in administrative positions at other tournaments.
1. Leah White as tab room staff for the AFA-NIET National Tournament
2. Leah White as set-up crew and tab staff for the National Forensic Association National Championship Tournament
3. Leah White as the Chair of the NFA Extemp Topic Committee
4. Leah White as a member of the AFA-NIET Extemp Topic Committee
5. MSU-Graduate Students, Tab Staff, Bethany Lutheran College Tournament
6. MSU-Graduate Students, Extemp and Impromptu Topics, Winona State Tournament
7. MSU-Graduate Students, Extemp Topics, for Dave Gaer
8. MSU-Graduate Student, Tab Room, Concordia/Moorhead Tournament
9. Ali Khokhar and Matthew Collie, Ballot Table, District IV Qualifier
C. Professional Positions Held
1. Leah White as Vice-President of Professional Relations for the National Forensic Association
2. Leah White as the NCA Program Planner for the NFA organization
3. Leah White as an Editorial Board Member for the National Forensic Journal
4. Ali Khokhar elected as District IV Student Representative
D. Community Outreach
1. Leah White offered assistance to the Twin Cities Urban Debate League.
2. Leah White, Suzanne Loen, Tiffany Shelton, Megan Kikalos and Karie Menser judged at the Minnesota Academy for the Blind Forensic Tournament in April.
E. Awards Won
1. Ali Khokhar received the District IV Kevin Heinneman Award
2. Heather Kaiser was selected for the 2004 AFA-NIET All-American Team
3. Becky Rick recognized as a URC Top Presentation
4. Megan Kikalos recognized as a URC Top Presentation
F. Student Scholarship Opportunities
1. Ali Khokhar participated on a panel presentation at the 2003 NCA Convention.
He was mentored by Brian Klosa.
2. Leah White and Brian Klosa served as Faculty Mentors for several URC
presentations.
As the 2003-2004 academic year draws to a close there are still several concerns that must be addressed in order to secure continued growth and success for the MSU-Mankato Forensic Program.
A. Absence Policy
MSU-Mankato does not have a policy that protects students from academic penalties should they choose to participate in co-curricular activities. Consequently, forensic students are often penalized when they must miss classes to attend tournaments. Although I send letters to all of our studentÕs professors justifying their absences, some instructors are not willing to excuse these absences. I would very much like to see the university consider a policy that would protect students from such penalties. Participation in co-curricular activities is often one of the most educational experiences a student has while attending university.
B. Inadequate space
The MSU-Mankato forensic program has two space related needs. First, there is no
good place for us to coach with students. Our faculty offices are too small for
coaching sessions and we have no assigned practice room. We are left to find open
classrooms. This usually results in coaching sessions being constantly interrupted
as we must move to a new classroom when students start to arrive for a scheduled
class. The problem is even worse for our Graduate Assistant coaches, as they do
not even have their own desk at which to conduct coaching meetings.
The second space related problem is the small size of our squad room. We
currently have over 30 team members. Our assigned work space is no larger than a
typical faculty office. At best, this space comfortably sits 6 people. Our students
need to be able to meet and work on campus. We do not have adequate space to
allow for this.
C. Upper Class Scholarships
Although our Freshman Talent Grants are much appreciated, the MSU-Mankato Forensic Team is in need of financial assistance for our returning students. Participation on the forensic team requires that one travel several weekends a semester. This makes it extremely difficult for students to maintain a job. The numerous hours that go into preparing for tournaments also cut into oneÕs ability to find viable employment. We have lost many students due to their need to quit forensics in order to earn enough money to pay for school.
Scholarship funding would also allow us to competitively recruit new students to the university. Although the Talent Grants are a good start, the fact that they are only for one year does not allow us to compete for excellent recruits with schools who can promise funding for 4 years.
Appendix A - Travel Schedule
SEPTEMBER
Sept 16- PLUM #1 Bethany Lutheran CollegeÑparliamentary debate
OCTOBER
Oct 3-4-Minnesota State University, MoorheadÑIEÕs and parliamentary debate
Oct 7- PLUM #2- Bethany Lutheran CollegeÑparliamentary debate
Oct 10-11- Winona State University- IEÕs only
Oct 14- TCFL # 1ÑNormandale Community College- open tournament- IEÕs only
Oct 17-19- Minnesota Swing tournament hosted by MSU-Mankato & Bethany Lutheran College
Oct 24 & 25- VFL # 1 and VFL #2ÑMinnesota State University, Moorhead (IEÕs only)
Oct 25- MAFL # 3ÑWartburg College (IEÕs only)
NOVEMBER
Nov 1- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (IEÕs only)
Nov 7-8- South Dakota State University (IEÕs and parli)
Nov 15- MAFL # 4 Bethel College
Nov 16- MAFL # 5-University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Nov 18- TCFL # 2- (novice only tournament)
DECEMBER
Dec 5-6- University of Wisconsin-Stout (IEÕs only)
Dec 9- TCFL # 3 (open tournament)
JANUARY
Jan 10-11 Ð Bradley University, Hell Froze Over Swing
Jan 17- University of Northern Iowa, Iowa Swing (IEÕs only)
Jan 18-Wartburg, Iowa Swing (IEÕs only)
Jan 23-24- College of DuPage (IEÕs, parli, readerÕs theatre)
Jan 27-TCFL # 3 (open tournament)
Jan 30-31- Nebraska swing @ University of Nebraska-Lincoln
FEBRUARY
Feb 6-7- St.Cloud State University
Feb 14-15- Wisconsin Love Fest Swing at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Feb 17- TCFL # 5 Normandale Community College
Feb 21-22- State Tournament Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
MARCH
Mar 5-VFL # 3- Concordia College (IEÕs only)
Mar 6-VFL # 4- Concordia College (IEÕs only)
Mar 12-13- AFA NIET district IV Qualifying tournament @ UW- Eau Claire
APRIL
2-5 AFA National Individual Events TournamentÑ California State University-Long Beach
22-24 132nd Interstate Oratorical Association National ContestÑ GCC, Glendale, Arizona