Testimonials

Mock trial has been one of the most formative experiences in my academic journey. It sharpened my ability to think critically, analyze complex information, and articulate arguments under pressure. Participating in this activity, free of charge, allow me to learn how to break down dense cases, craft strategies, and mentor others—skills that directly strengthened my writing, research, and leadership in the classroom. Standing before judges and juries gave me confidence in public speaking and the discipline to think on my feet. Most importantly, it confirmed my passion for law and equipped me with the foundation I need to thrive in law school and beyond. I am so grateful to have met so many talented and other Academically motivated student through mock trial. I would have never gotten to Harvard law school without them and the UO Forensics Program’s support.

- Rose Gbaanador 2024 Political Science

I would like to think that the university would be able to solve their budget issues by means other than those taken by the dean of the Clark Honors College. Participating in debate can have an enormous impact on students that take it, myself being a prime example. During the almost two years I participated, I learned skills that have made me more capable and successful over the last twenty years. I would hope that a program that enables the skills useful in so many aspects of life would be venerated and not reduced to a shell of its former self.

- Charles Everett 2005 Business

Forensics has been the most important activity in my intellectual and professional life as an educational scholar and professor. It is what taught me how to conduct scholarly research, use evidence to support claims, engage in reasoned argument, see multiple sides to complex issues, pay attention to nuance in language, and to organize my thoughts so they are clear, coherent, and persuasive. Everyday as a college professor I draw on my forensics background, as a teacher, as a department chair, and as a scholar.

- Isaac Gottesman  BS '97, MEd '02 Political Science

Forensics has provided me with invaluable educational experiences that shaped my subsequent professional and personal life. The demands that forensics placed on me to craft persuasive arguments based on a rigorous analysis of evidence helped make me a better student. It helped me to write better papers, culminating in an Honors Thesis at the University of Oregon, and make better and more informed contributions to class discussions. The skills with evidence and argument, subsequently, proved vital in writing a doctoral dissertation in history and in my subsequent career writing and publishing in history. The comfort I developed speaking in front of people--while conveying a cogent argument--has also been of considerable help in developing my skills as a teacher at Mississippi State University. The free form of cross examination, in particular, has made me comfortable answering questions and posing questions to students to get them to think critically about material. Finally, my time in forensics introduced me to many great people who made my time at the University of Oregon better by providing a cohort of like-minded people with whom to hang-out; many of these people have remained my friends over the 35 years since I graduated.

- Peter Messer  1990 History

Public speaking does not come naturally to most folks. So, when you combine that experience with the fundamentals of research you get something that is unique out of the program. Absolutely necessary for the practice of law. More importantly, perhaps, is the opportunity for high school students to also have the opportunity to be in a group that focuses on communication. I personally feel that speech itself has become misunderstood, and is under threat. I can’t imagine taking away something so fundamental at the university level.

- Michael Buseman  92’ and 96’ English