College of Fine and Applied Arts

Six Appalachian Debate Team members competed in the Madison Cup Scholarship Debate Tournament March 18 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

Ryan Lucas, Russell Newton, Tara Fusco, Joe Graziano, Sarah Hostyk and Roberta Fields represented Appalachian and won $1,000 in scholarship money. Lucas and Newton were awarded third place in the preliminary rounds, and fourth and sixth, respectively, in the final round, which took place in an auditorium in front of an audience of over 500 students and community members.

Appalachian State finished ahead of several Ivy League schools, including Yale and Claremont-McKenna.

The James Madison Commemorative Debate and Citizens Forum is a unique inter-collegiate debate competition, which combines the excitement and challenge of tournament competition with the relevance and empowerment of a public audience and audience participation.

The Appalachian State University Debate Team was awarded second place for the National Public Debate Award by the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA).

The awardees are selected based on how, over the course of the past academic year, they have best advanced the values of debate in the public sphere through sponsorship of one or more public debate activities. These activities include international public debates, radio or television debates, public debates on campus or for community groups and through general promotion of public discourse to promote critical examination of public issues for general audiences.

Appalachian’s Debate Team was recognized for its Public Debates and Socrates Cafes.

“With a membership of over 200 schools, we are honored by his award,” said Kris Willis, Appalachian’s co-director of forensics. “Please join me in congratulating all of the members of the team as this couldn’t have been achieved without all of their help and work.”

In addition, debate students Ashlee Hood and Ashleigh Anthony took 5th place in the Novice Division at the CEDA National Debate Tournament March 21-24. The National Debate Tournament is the largest tournament of the year.

Mariam Willis serves as co-director of the program.

Advertising student Anna Goodrich has been selected to receive a $15,000 Crest Foundation Scholarship.

The CREST Foundation funds and awards scholarships to children of reprographics industry employees who wish to pursue a better education, but who lack the financial means to do so.

To be eligible for the award, students must have a parent currently employed by a reprographics company for at least five years, be a US citizen or legal permanent resident, must apply for federal financial aid using the FAFSA (Free Application For Student Aid), be enrolling on a full-time basis at a college or university, have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, provide a personal essay and provide recommendations from at least two qualified adults.

Goodrich will receive the scholarship in the fall for the 2009-10 academic year.

Dr. Terry Cole, professor of communication, was inducted to the Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) National Honor Society Hall of Fame, Class of 2009, March 20 during PKD’s National Tournament and Convention in Shreveport, La.

As one of just two honorees selected this year, Cole is being honored for his contributions to PKD. The Hall of Fame honors PKD members for lifetime contributions to national, province, chapter or organizational forensics.

“Pi Kappa Delta is deeply grateful for Terry Cole’s lifetime of teaching, coaching, mentoring and serving his university, community, and students,” said Michael Bartanen of Pacific Lutheran University, Wa., coordinator of PKD’s Hall of Fame. “It was a proud day for the honorary to induct him into the Hall of Fame.”

Cole became a member of PKD in 1965 at California State University Fresno (then Fresno State College) as a debate and individual events competitor. While the director of forensics from 1973 to 1987 at Appalachian State, the Epsilon Chapter of the Province of the Southeast for PKD, Cole served as governor of the Province of the Southeast from 1976-78.

Cole was elected to the PKD National Council in 1981, serving as national president-elect from 1987-1989 and national president from 1989-1991. He remained on the council as immediate past president from 1991-1993. In 1996, Cole received the John Shields Award for Outstanding Contributions to PKD.

Pi Kappa Delta is an honorary consisting of educators, students and alumni committed to encouraging the education of articulate citizens through a three part focus: the commitment to and promotion of ethical, humane and inclusive communication and educational practices; the commitment to and promotion of professional development of forensics educators; and the commitment to and promotion of comprehensive forensics programming.

Dr. Nina-Jo Moore, associate dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts and professor of communication studies, received the Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) Golden Gavel Award at the organization’s 2009 National Tournament and Convention March 18-21 in Shreveport, La.

The Golden Gavel Award is given by the past presidents of PKD when they choose to recognize a person who has made a significant contribution to the organization in a capacity other than president.

Moore has completed two four-year terms as editor of PKD’s professional journal, “The Forensic,” and its newsletter, “The Key.” She also facilitated the development and maintenance of a PKD webpage, served as Nomination Committee Chairperson for six years and, prior to becoming editor, served as a tabulation room staff member at the National Convention and Tournament for 14 years.

“This year we chose to recognize Nina-Jo Moore as she leaves her position as editor,” said Sandra L. Alspach of Ferris State University in Michigan, PKD awards coordinator. “Nina-Jo has shown her commitment to the continued success of Pi Kappa Delta throughout her career, from coach of her own student competitors to editor. We were pleased to have this opportunity to recognize her contributions in a fitting and public way. We look forward to continuing our ‘family connection’ with Nina-Jo as she serves with me as co-chair of the Communication Committee for our Centennial celebration in 2013.”

Pi Kappa Delta is an honorary consisting of educators, students and alumni committed to encouraging the education of articulate citizens through a three part focus: the commitment to and promotion of ethical, humane and inclusive communication and educational practices; the commitment to and promotion of professional development of forensics educators; and the commitment to and promotion of comprehensive forensics programming.