Minnesota State University – Mankato Forensic Program

2006-2007 Year End Report

 

I.                   Number of Student Participants (Participant is defined as any student who received individualized coaching sessions)

 

A total of 34 students participated on the Forensic Team.

 

A.    Seniors: Joshua Randall, Emily Kofoed, Elizabeth Drommerhausen

B.     Juniors: Zeke Sorensen, Nicole Goebel, Kit McAllister, Krista Monson, Matt Ruyter

C.     Sophomores: Jimmy Jansen, Grant Anderson, Grace Phelps, Tysen Dauer, Courtney Hager, Jayme Sunde, Luke Frederick

D.    Freshmen: Megan Petersen, Alex Garlock, Tim Mertz, April Larson, Jason Reisch, Justin Hathaway, Amanda Kriesel, , Rachel Dudding, Denise Cheek, Sarah Gilbert-Schwarck, Brett Anderson, Kevin Carroll, Sarah Engesser, Desiree Quade, Jacob Goebel, Brian Follick, Amber Melzer, Alexandra Franzen, Tatiana Lehen

 

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 – Dr. Leah White, Assistant Professor

B.     Assistant Director of Forensics – Jim Dimock, Assistant Professor

 

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 appointments to work with the forensic program.

 

A.    Fall: 

Sara Gronstal, Danielle Holbrook, Hillary Hoover, Chad Kuyper, Holly Manning

B.     Spring:

Sara Gronstal, Danielle Holbrook, Hillary Hoover, Chad Kuyper, Holly Manning

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV.             Competitive Opportunities

 

A.    Individual Events Tournaments Attended (see appendix A)

 

         The MSU-Mankato Team attended 32 IE tournaments this year.  Of these, 30        were Regional invitational tournaments and 2 were National Championship         Tournaments.  The team qualified 7 people in 16 events for the AFA-NIET       Tournament, and 14 people in 32 events for NFA National Championship          Tournament.

 

1.      Total number of speeches given during the year

 

Attending 32 tournaments allowed the team to present over 1400 speeches during the year.  This number does not represent the numerous practice speeches students give while preparing for competition.  Over 652 hours of coaching were recorded during the academic year.

 

B.     Parliamentary Debate Tournaments Attended

 

The MSU-Mankato team attended no debate only tournaments this year but did participate in debate at 2 primarily IE tournaments. 

 

V.                Competition Results

 

The competitive success of the MSU-Mankato Forensic Program continues to improve, as is shown by the extensive list of first place awards received this year.  This year the program finished 7th in the President’s I division at the NFA National Championship Tournament, and 19th in the overall open rankings.  MSU-Mankato Forensics also placed 3rd at the Minnesota State Tournament.

 

A.    First Place Awards (20 Individual)

Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Persuasion, TCFL #3

Emily Kofoed, CA, UW-Stout

Emily Kofoed, Pers, Bethany Lutheran

Emily Kofoed, Poetry, Bethany Lutheran

Nicole Goebel, CA, TCFL #1

Zeke Sorenson, POI, MAFL #3

Zeke Sorenson, POI, MAFL #4

                  Zeke Sorenson – University of Northern Iowa – Program Oral Interpretation

                  Grant Anderson – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Program Oral Interpretation

                  Emily Kofoed – Love Swing Invitational Day 1 – Persuasive Speaking

                  Jason Reisch – Love Swing Invitational Day 2 – After Dinner Speaking

                  Zeke Sorenson – Twin Cities Forensic League #5 – Prose Interpretation

                  Zeke Sorenson – Minnesota State Collegiate Forensics Tournament – Mini Interp

                  Grant Anderson – Twin Cities Forensic League #6 – Poetry Interpretation

                  Jason Reisch – Twin Cities Forensic League #6 – Dramatic Interpretation

                  Emily Kofoed – Valley Forensic League #3 – Informative Speaking

                  Grant Anderson – Valley Forensic League #3 – Poetry Interpretation

                  Jason Reisch – Valley Forensic League #3 – Dramatic Interpretation

                 Alex Garlock – Valley Forensic League #4 – After Dinner Speaking

                 Alex Garlock – Valley Forensic League #4 – Impromptu Speaking

 

B.     Second Place Awards (22 Individual)

Alex Garlock, Novice ADS, Bradley

Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Pers, Bethany Lutheran

Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Pers, UW-River Falls

Emily Kofoed, Pers, Concordia College

Emily Kofoed, Poetry, MAFL #3

Jason Reisch, Novice Prose, MAFL #3

Zeke Sorenson, POI, UW-Madison

Zeke Sorenson, POI, UW-Stout

Zeke Sorenson, Poetry, TCFL #1

                  Joshua Randall – Concordia College Talk of the Tundra – Impromptu Speaking

                  Emily Kofoed – Mid American Forensic League #3 – Poetry Interpretation

                  Jason Reisch – Mid American Forensic League #3 – Novice Prose Interpretation

                  Justin Hathaway – Twin Cities Forensic League #4 – Dramatic Interpretation

                  Alex Garlock – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Children’s Literature Interpretation

                  Emily Kofoed – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Discussion

                  Joshua Randall – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Impromptu Speaking

                  Zeke Sorenson and Grant Anderson – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic - Duo

                  Zeke Sorenson – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Poetry Interpretation

                  Zeke Sorenson – Twin Cities Forensic League #5 – Poetry Interpretation

                  Zeke Sorenson and Grant Anderson – MN State Tournament – Duo

                  Emily Kofoed – Twin Cities Forensic League #6 – Impromptu Speaking

                  Zeke Sorenson – Twin Cities Forensic League #6 – Prose Interpretation

 

C.    Third Place Awards (6 Team, 17 Individual, 23 Total)

Team Sweepstakes, Concordia College

Team Sweepstakes, MAFL #3

Team Sweepstakes, Bethany Lutheran

                  Team Sweepstakes – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic

                  Team Sweepstakes – Minnesota State Collegiate Forensics Tournament

                  Team Sweepstakes – Twin Cities Forensic League #6

Alex Garlock, ADS, UW-Stout

Elizabeth Drommerhausen, POI, UW-River Falls

Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Pers, MAFL #3

Emily Kofoed, Pers, UW-Stout

Justin Hathaway, Novice Prose, MAFL #3

Justin Hathaway, Prose, TCFL #3

Megan Petersen, ADS, Bethany Lutheran

Nicole Goebel, CA, UW-Stout

Nicole Goebel, Impromptu, UW-River Falls

Zeke Sorenson, Poetry, Concordia College

                  Alex Garlock – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Discussion

                  Grant Anderson – Twin Cities Forensic League #5 – Program Oral Interpretation

                  Emily Kofoed – MN State Forensics Tournament – Communication Analysis

                  Emily Kofoed – MN State Forensics Tournament – Informative Speaking

                  Grant Anderson – MN State Forensics Tournament – Program Oral Interpretation

                  Nicole Goebel – Twin Cities Forensic League #6 – Impromptu Speaking

                  Grant Anderson – Valley Forensic League #3 – Program Oral Interpretation

 

D.    Fourth Place Awards (1 Team, 1 Individual Sweeps, 29 Individual, 31Total)

Team Sweepstakes, UW-Stout

Elizabeth Drommerhausen, Persuasion, Concordia College

Emily Kofoed, CA, UW-Madison

Emily Kofoed, Persuasion, Gustavus Adolphus College

Emily Kofoed, Persuasion, UW-Madison

Emily Kofoed, Poetry, Gustavus Adolphus College

Joshua Randall, Impromptu, Concordia College

Joshua Randall, Impromptu, Bethany Lutheran

Justin Hathaway, Prose, TCFL #1

Megan Petersen, Prose, Bethany Lutheran

Nicole Goebel, CA, MAFL #3

Nicole Goebel, CA, UW-River Falls

                  Jason Reisch and Justin Hathaway – University of Northern Iowa - Duo

                  Alex Garlock – Mid American Forensics League #5 – After Dinner Speaking

                  Alex Garlock – Mid American Forensics League #6 – After Dinner Speaking

                  Alex Garlock – Twin Cities Forensic League #4 – After Dinner Speaking

                  Grant Anderson – Twin Cities Forensic League #4 – Prose Interpretation

                  Zeke Sorenson and Grant Anderson – Twin Cities Forensic League #4 -  Duo

                  Megan Petersen – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Poetry Interpretation

                  Nicole Goebel – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Communication Analysis

                  Emily Kofoed – Love Swing Invitational Day 1 – Impromptu Speaking

                  Emily Kofoed – Love Swing Invitational Day 1 – Individual Sweeps

                  Emily Kofoed – Love Swing Invitational Day 2 – Prose Interpretation

                  Alex Garlock – MN State Forensics Tournament – After Dinner Speaking

                  Emily Kofoed – MN State Forensics Tournament – Prose Interpretation

                  Zeke Sorenson – MN State Forensics Tournament – Poetry Interpretation

                  Zeke Sorenson – MN State Forensics Tournament – Program Oral Interpretation

                  Emily Kofoed – Twin Cities Forensic League #6 – Prose Interpretation

                  Alex Garlock – Valley Forensic League #3 – Poetry Interpretation

                  April Larson – Valley Forensic League #3 – Informative Speaking

                  Grant Anderson – Valley Forensic League #3 – Prose Interpretation

 

E.     Fifth Place Awards (1 Individual Sweeps, 22 Individual, 23 Total)

Emily Kofoed, Quadrathon, UW-Stout

Elizabeth Drommerhausen, POI, Bethany Lutheran

Grant Anderson & Zeke Sorenson, Duo, MAFL #4

Grant Anderson & Zeke Sorenson, Duo, UW-Stout

Joshua Randall, Extemp, Bethany Lutheran

Joshua Randall, Persuasion, Bethany Lutheran

Megan Peterson, Novice Prose, MAFL #3

Nicole Goebel, Impromptu, TCFL #1

Zeke Sorenson, Prose, UW-Stout

Zeke Sorenson, POI, Concordia College

                  Grant Anderson – Mid American Forensics League #6 – Prose Interpretation

                  Justin Hathaway – Twin Cities Forensic League #4 – Prose Interpretation

                  Joshua Randall – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Extemporaneous Speaking

                  Emily Kofoed – Love Swing Invitational Day 2 – Impromptu Speaking

                  Jimmy Jansen – Twin Cities Forensic League #5 – Impromptu Speaking

                  Emily Kofoed – MN State Forensics Tournament – Persuasive Speaking

                  Emily Kofoed – MN State Forensics Tournament – Poetry Interpretation

                  Jason Reisch – MN State Forensics Tournament – After Dinner Speaking

                  Jason Reisch – MN State Forensics Tournament – Mini Interpretation

                  Alex Garlock – Twin Cities Forensic League #6 – Poetry Interpretation

                  Emily Kofoed – Valley Forensic League #3 – Prose Interpretation

                  Jason Reisch – Valley Forensic League #3 – After Dinner Speaking

                  Megan Petersen – Valley Forensic League #3 – Poetry Interpretation

 

F.     Sixth Place Awards (30 Individual, 30 Total)

Alex Garlock, ADS, Kansas State

Emily Kofoed, CA, Bradley

Emily Kofoed, Persuasion, MAFL #4

Emily Kofoed, Poetry, UW-Madison

Grace Phelps, Poetry, UW-Stout

Grant Anderson, Prose, UW-Madison

Joshua Randall, Extemp, UW-Stout

Nicole Goebel, CA, Concordia College

Nicole Goebel, Extemp, MAFL #3

Tim Mertz, ADS, MAFL #3

Zeke Sorenson, Poetry, MAFL #3

Zeke Sorenson, POI, Hastings College

Zeke Sorenson, POI, TCFL #1

                  Zeke Sorenson and Grant Anderson – Mid American Forensics League #5 – Duo

                  April Larson – Twin Cities Forensic League #4 – Impromptu Speaking

                  April Larson – St. Cloud Ice Box Classic – Informative Speaking

                  Emily Kofoed – Love Swing Invitational Day 1 – Informative Speaking

                  Jason Reisch – Love Swing Invitational Day 1 – Dramatic Interpretation

                  Jason Reisch and Justin Hathaway – Love Swing Invitational Day 1 – Duo

                  Tysen Dauer – Twin Cities Forensic League #5 – Persuasive Speaking

                  Alex Garlock – MN State Forensics Tournament – Mini Interpretation

                  Jason Reisch and Justin Hathaway – MN State Forensics Tournament - Duo

                  Alex Garlock – Twin Cities Forensic League #6 – Impromptu Speaking

                  Alex Garlock – Valley Forensic League #3 – After Dinner Speaking

                  Alex Garlock – Valley Forensic League #3 – Informative Speaking

                  April Larson – Valley Forensic League #3 – Persuasive Speaking

                  Emily Kofoed – Valley Forensic League #3 – Impromptu Speaking

                  Emily Kofoed – Valley Forensic League #3 – Poetry Interpretation

                  Megan Petersen and April Larson – Valley Forensic League #3 – Duo

                  Alex Garlock – Valley Forensic League #4 – Informative Speaking

 

G.    Seventh Place Awards (5 Individual, 5 Total)

Alex Garlock, ADS, Minnesota State Mankato

April Larson, Informative, MAFL #3

                  Megan Petersen – University of Northern Iowa – Prose Interpretation

                  Justin Hathaway – MN State Forensics Tournament – Poetry Interpretation

                 Alex Garlock – Valley Forensic League #3 – Impromptu Speaking

 

H.    Semifinal Awards (8 Individual)

                  Emily Kofoed – University of Wisconsin—Stout – Prose Interpretation

                  Justin Hathaway – University of Wisconsin—Stout – Prose Interpretation

                  Emily Kofoed – Hell Froze Over Day 1– Persuasive Speaking – Semi Finalist

                  Emily Kofoed – Hell Froze Over Day 1 – Poetry Interpretation – Semi Finalist

                  Emily Kofoed – Hell Froze Over Day 1 – Prose Interpretation – Semi Finalist

                  Emily Kofoed – Hell Froze Over Day 2 – Prose Interpretation – Semi Finalist

Emily Kofoed – NFA National Championship Tournament – Persuasive Speaking

Jason Reisch – NFA National Championship Tournament - ADS

 

I.       Quarterfinal Awards (2 Individual)

Emily Kofoed – NFA National Championship Tournament – Rhetorical Criticism

Emily Kofoed – NFA National Championship Tournament – Informative Speaking

 

J.      Other Awards (2 Individual)

 

Emily Kofoed  -  District 4 Kevin Heineman Award

Emily Kofoed -  AFA-NIET 2007 All-American Team

 

VI.             Scholarships

 

This year the forensic program was allocated $12,100.00 funds for Freshmen Talent Grants.  7150.00 of this funding was awarded in $550.00 per semester amounts.  The following individuals received 2006-2007 Talent Grants:

 

April Larson – Fall and Spring

Alex Garlock – Fall and Spring

Amanda Kriesel – Fall and Spring

Jason Reisch – Fall and Spring

Justin Hathaway – Fall and Spring

Megan Petersen – Fall and Spring

Tim Mertz - Fall

 

We also award the Larry Schnoor Scholarship each year.  The 2006-2007 recipient was Emily Kofoed.

 

VII.          Academic Achievement

 

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 spring 2007 information) is a 3.45.

 

VIII.       SPEE 220 Credit

 

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 2006 11 students enrolled in SPEE 220 and 7 students enrolled in spring 2007.  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.             End of the Year Student Awards

 

Four awards were given at this year’s end of the year banquet.  Jason Reisch and Zeke Sorenson received the top GPA award.  Megan Petersen received the Most Hours Coached Award.  Emily Kofoed received the Outstanding Team Member Award.

 

X.                Service Provided

 

A.    Events Hosted on Campus

1.   2006 Larry Schnoor Invitational held October 21.

2.   2007 MSU-Mankato High School Individual Events Tournament held

      February 24.

3.   A Public Speech Showcase held in April 2007 as an outreach to the campus community.

4.  A “Debate Across the Curriculum” Presentation given to a class fall 2006.

                        5.  Host of a MAFL Tournament January 2007

                        6.  Host of the 2007 AFA-NIET

 

 

 

 

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 NFA National Championship Tournament

2.  Jim Dimock as ballot table staff at the AFA-NIET

 

C.     Professional Positions Held

1.  Leah White as Vice-President of Professional Relations for the NFA

2.  Leah White as the NCA Program Planner for the NFA Organization

3.  Leah White as member of the District IV Committee

 

D.    Community Outreach

1.  Leah White judged at the Big 9 High School Tournament spring 2007

 

E.     Awards Won

1.  Jim Dimock’s MFA thesis recognized at the College of Arts and Humanities MAGS selection.

 

F.      Student Scholarship Opportunities

1. Jim Dimock served as a Faculty mentor for the URC

2.  Undergraduate and Graduate Student program participants presented research at the CTAM, NCA and CSCA conferences

 

XI.             Concerns

 

As the 2006-2007 academic year draws to a close there are still several concerns that need to 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 miss class to attend tournaments.  Although I send letters to all of our students’ professors explaining their absences, many students are still penalized for their participation with the program.  In fact, some professors have responded to my letters with anger.  As co-curricular activities are a crucial aspect of a student’s educational experience, I would suggest the university consider a policy that would protect students from being penalized for participation in such activities.

 

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 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 one’s 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 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

 

TENTATIVE TRAVEL SCHEDULE - MAVERICK FORENSICS 2006-2007

 

SEPTEMBER

Sept 22-24 – Work Retreat

Sept 29-Oct 2 – Kansas State University/Hasting

 

OCTOBER

Oct 5-7 – Concordia College

Oct 14 – Eau Claire MAFL

Oct 17 - TCFL # 1—Normandale Community College

Oct 21-22 -  Minnesota Swing tournament hosted by us & Gustavus Adolphus

Oct 27-28 – Bethany Lutheran College (IEs and Parli)

 

NOVEMBER

Nov 2-5- Bradley University

Nov 4 – UW River Falls

Nov 10-12 – Eau-Claire MAFL – UW-Madison

Nov 14 - TCFL # 2 – Normandale Community College

 

DECEMBER

Dec 1-2 - University of Wisconsin-Stout

Dec 5 - TCFL #3

 

JANUARY

Jan 12 – 15 – Hell Froze Over – University of Texas - Austin

Jan 20-21 – Iowa Swing – UNI and Wartburg

Jan 27-28 – MAFL #5 and #6 – at GAC and MSU

Jan 30 – TCFL #4

 

FEBRUARY

Feb 2-3 - St. Cloud State University

Feb 9-11 –  Wisconsin Love Fest Swing – UW Eau Claire

Feb 13 -  TCFL # 5

Feb 16-18 – MCFA MN State Tournament at Southwest MN State University

Feb 24 - HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT

               

MARCH

Mar 2-3 – VFL #3 and #4 – Concordia College

Mar 6 – TCFL #6

Mar 9-10- AFA NIET district IV Qualifying tournament @ Wartburg

March 30 – April 1 - Nationals Prep Retreat

 

APRIL

Apr 6-9 - AFA National Individual Events Tournament— MSU-Mankato

Apr 14 – Nationals Prep Work Day

Apr 18-24 - NFA National Championship Tournament – Berry College, Rome, GA