Voices That Carry: Celebrating 149 Years of Oregon Forensics Alumni Stories

For nearly a century and a half, Oregon Forensics has shaped voices that carry — in classrooms, courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities around the world. From the first debate societies of the 1876 to today’s alumni, leading in law, policy, education, and advocacy, our tradition has never been just about competition. It’s about learning to speak with purpose, listen with respect, and lead with conviction.

Now, as we approach the 150th anniversary of Oregon Forensics, Oregon Forensics Forever is launching Voices That Carry — a year-long storytelling campaign celebrating the people, moments, and lessons that define this remarkable legacy.

What Is “Voices That Carry”?

Voices That Carry invites alumni, coaches, and friends of Oregon Forensics to share the stories that still echo — the round that changed how you think, the teammate who challenged you, the speech that made you see the world differently. Each reflection becomes part of a living archive that connects generations of forensics alumni across time.

Your story matters — not only because it’s part of Oregon’s history, but because it continues to shape what Forensics means today.

How You Can Participate

Visit the Voices That Carry page to learn more, share your story, nominate a fellow alum, or browse reflections from others who have walked the same path. Whether you have a favorite debate topic, a photo from your competition days, or a lesson that’s stayed with you for decades — we’d love to include your voice.

This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about legacy.

Together, we’re building a collective portrait of how Oregon Forensics has carried forward — through its students, its alumni, and the lives they’ve touched.

Our Voices Still Matter

Every story we tell reminds current and future students that Forensics is more than an extracurricular — it’s an education in leadership, advocacy, and humanity. The way you learned to argue a case, defend an idea, or listen to another point of view still shapes the civic conversations that matter most today.

Your voice carried then. It still does.

Add your story, share a photo, or nominate someone whose voice helped define Oregon Forensics:

👉 Share Your Story in Voices That Carry