Testimonials
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Francesca Thuresson
My time in Forensics was short, but incredibly impactful. I participated on the debate team for one season as a part of a class, and by the end of that season I had won an award in communication and had indefinitely become a better advocate and diplomat. This program has been changing students for the better since its creation at the very start of the U of O. Let's not abandon it, and everything it has done for students and alum, now.
- Francesca Thuresson 2026 Political Science
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: George J. Tichy, II
I am an attorney with the firm of Littler Mendelson (formerly Littler, Mendelson, Fastiff, Tichy and Mathiason), one of the largest law firms in the world specializing in employment and labor law. When I first came to the firm in San Francisco, there were 5 lawyers. Today there are more than 1800 lawyers. Of the 5 name partners/shareholders, 3 of us were on the debate team at our respective colleges. I was on the debate team at Oregon; Wesley Fastiff was on the debate team at Tufts; and Garry Mathiason was on the debate team at Northwestern. I can tell you without equivocation that the forensics program was an important part of my development. I can't imagine Oregon not having a first rate and effective forensic program. Please retain the current program. It has benefited the students and the finances of the University with donations to various departments (not just forensics) such as the George J Tichy Employment and Labor Law Section of the University of Oregon Law School.
- George J. Tichy, II 1964 Economics
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Clay McKean
I participated in debate from 2015-2017 and it was the most educationally rigorous and challenging as well as fulfilling part of my college experience.
I built comradery with teammates while learning how to construct, destruct, and work through arguments which has paid dividends in my professional career.
Almost 10 years after graduation I don't talk as much with my friends from class, dorms, fraternity, but I still stay in contact with every member of the debate team while I competed, and have used them as professional references to advance my career.
UO debate is one of the most decorated teams at the university and in the nation. Letting this program disappear would cause significant harm to the student body and reputation of the University of Oregon.- Clay McKean 2017 Marine Biology
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Angela Muniz
My time with the forensics team was vital to my career today. Being able to assess an issue and articulate my opinions in a fair and rational manor is something I still actively use. I also feel the experience has taught me to listen - a skill I use with my clients that helps me better serve them. Beyond the forensic skills, I remember the friends and instructors with fond memories. Such an important part of my time at the UO and in forming the person I am today.
- Angela Muniz 1990 Journalism
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Sean McKean
Forensics is draw that brought me to Oregon and my continued participation as a coach of the debate team is what caused me to continue my academic career at the law school. Forensics is singularly responsible for almost all of my career success and dismantling the institutional support would be a short-sighted and enormous loss to the University.
- Sean McKean 2017 Political Science
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Charles Hillestad
It may have been the single most important thing I did at U of O to set me on my successful career path as an attorney for 43 years. The debate team competition and the individual speech competitions helped me immensely. How can you possibly not have such a program? In fact, it should be greatly expanded. It brought major honors to the school.
- Charles Hillestad 1967 Poly Sci
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Sebastian Duffy
My experience in mock trial allowed me to travel, make lasting friendships, and compete with students from universities around the region. I was able to take on a leadership role, and win an award at the regional level. I have no doubt that my participation in Mock Trial has given me a competitive edge on the job market, as well as in further academic pursuits. Programs in the forensics department are exactly the kind that are worth the investment. They attract high achievers, build translatable skills in student members, encourage alumni donations, and increase the competitiveness of the university with other prestigious institutions in the region. The forensics program is highly affordable when considering all of these factors.
- Sebastian Duffy 2023 Political Science and Philosophy
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Robert Withycombe, Ph.D. (U of O)
I was a college debate competitor, high school coach, and college coach for more than 45 years. During that time I watched hundreds of students grow, mature, develop critical reasoning and presentation skills, and go on to have successful careers and lead productive lives. In the grand scheme of things, College debate is a low cost, high return opportunity that should be celebrated, not eliminated!
- Robert Withycombe, Ph.D. (U of O) 1998 Rhetoric and Communications
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Jerry McIntire
I participated in the U of O Forensics program as a competitor and as a judge for tournaments. The experience was invaluable and built strong bonds with other alumni. It of course sharpened my research and speaking skills. I went on to coach high school speech teams in my first career as a teacher. The Forensics program deserves ongoing support from the university as it contributes to the success of students in a variety of programs, especially those entering the School of Law.
- Jerry McIntire 1989 Rhetoric: Speech and Communication; Spanish; Secondary Education
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Robynne Whitney
Participating on a debate team as perhaps the worst debater they had ever seen was critical to my educational path at UO, and on into my current profession as an attorney. I joined debate to address my tremendous fear of public speaking, and I have now spent thirty years speaking in public for a living. Debate was much more than that, however. It introduced me to wildly intelligent humans who dug into research and competition with an enthusiasm I'd not encountered in my university classes to that point. Traveling and competing and exchanging ideas with them was probably the most important experience I had at UO, as it broadened my educational expectations and gave me the confidence to move on to law school after graduation.
- Robynne Whitney 1992 Political Science
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