Personal Stories
How Forensics Elevated the University of Oregon: Peter Messer
The success I enjoyed as a debater made people from other universities more aware of the University and the state. As we travelled around the country people knew who we were and that we would be good at what we did because they already encountered successful teams and smart students from the University. Other universities regularly sought to recruit University of Oregon debate and forensic students to their graduate programs. The University of Oregon forensics had a great brand--smart and creative students who people wanted to recruit for their universities/colleges.
On campus my experience with forensics led me to be a regular moderator for campus debates and discussions. I worked with the student association to help put on their debates for student government and was, at least during the debates, the public face of the association.
Locally my connections with debate led KVAL to offer me (and my colleague Tina Roe) to evaluate the 1988 mayor debate (my dates may be off).
Shaping My Career Beyond UO: Peter Messer
As an academic, and historian, I use all of the basic skills debate helped cultivate every day. I do research to defend an argument of my own making; I critically read both the evidence I assemble, and the other interpretations of that evidence; I communicate my findings both in writing and verbally to my colleagues and students. Debate and forensics, in short, has proved invaluable to my professional career since graduation.
Building My Academic and Intellectual Core: Peter Messer
Participation in forensics introduced me to a wide variety of academic literatures beyond those I would have encountered studying history. Topics on Latin America and arms control introduced me to literatures in political science and communications/rhetoric,. Topics on drug testing and freedom of speech introduced me to academic work on the law, business, economics and medicine. A topic on gun control introduced me to work by scholars in sociology and criminology. Throughout all of these topics and others I found myself reading philosophy and even literary theory. There is simply no better way to expose a student to a diverse range of academic subjects than researching debate topics.
Debate, because of the necessity of constructing strong arguments from evidence on both sides of a question, sharpened my ability to do research, think critically about evidence and arguments, and to consider a wide variety of perspectives on an issue. The limited times given for speaking and presenting idea sharpened both my writing and verbal skills, helping me to learn to express myself clearly and concisely. Forensics, in short, prepares students to consume information critically, to articulate their views clearly, and to consider or take seriously all evidence-based views on an issue.
How I Found My Way to UO Forensics: Peter Messer
Participation in the UO High School forensics tournament introduced me to the campus as a lovely place, walking from building to building both to get to places to compete, but also to just kill time. While at the University to compete we encountered flyers advertising speakers and upcoming events that made the University of Oregon appear to be an exciting and intellectual vibrant community I would like to join. Stumbling across the odd campus event or even protest only reinforced that sense.
While competing in forensics in high school I also attended a debate camp at the University of Oregon, which reinforced many of the above mentioned experiences. It also introduced me to many University of Oregon debaters, some of whom would become my friends, who made the University seem to be both a great place to continue competing in forensics, but also to attend school. As I encountered these people over the ensuing years they made a regular and persuasive pitch for me to attend the University. These relationships played a pivotal role in me becoming a Duck.
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Greg Oakes
Forensics was a core component of my professional, academic and personal lives. It help me to structure arguments and discussions. It is fundamental to my problem solving skills that made me a successful professional.
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Lacey Arizona
My debate friends are the dearest friends and best professional network that I have to this day
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Cora Stevens
Prior to taking forensics classes, I was not confident in public speaking or debate skills. I was not sure if I was going to enjoy the classes I took but I really did and it truly helped improve my confidence in public speaking and creating convincing arguments. I even went on to do two different debate tournaments that I placed second in and the University of Oregon won in over all. The department also has wonderful professors that truly care about what they do. I think this program is incredibly valuable and should continue!
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Cora Stevens
Prior to taking forensics classes, I was not confident in public speaking or debate skills. I was not sure if I was going to enjoy the classes I took but I really did and it truly helped improve my confidence in public speaking and creating convincing arguments. I even went on to do two different debate tournaments that I placed second in and the University of Oregon won in over all. The department also has wonderful professors that truly care about what they do. I think this program is incredibly valuable and should continue!
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Andrew Dizon
UOMT was one of the best experiences of my college career. Without it I doubt I would’ve have been motivated to have pushed or inspired to pursue my career as an attorney. It gave me an opportunity to travel the country develop my critical thinking reading and writing and oral argument skills. Not to mention my soft interpersonal skills that I used every day of my life. Please keep this program.
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Anastasia Gilmartin
My experience in mock trial at the University of Oregon was foundational in preparing me for law school and, ultimately, my career as an attorney. The program gave me early, practical exposure to the courtroom—teaching me how to think on my feet, craft persuasive arguments, and communicate with confidence. Those skills carried directly into law school, where I felt better equipped to brief cases and argue in class. Mock trial didn’t just prepare me academically—it gave me the discipline, resilience, and advocacy tools that continue to shape my work as a practicing attorney today
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: S. Amanda Marshall
My experience as a debater at UO was likely the most formative experience in my academic career. I see the mentorship of Dr. David Frank, and as a peer of Trond Jacobsen, I learned to critically evaluate evidence and arguments. More importantly, I found my voice. Were it not for UO debate I would not have pursued law school which led to an amazing career advocating on behalf of our most vulnerable citizens.
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Katie Gray
I volunteer with the high school program. It is amazing to see the kids grow and I hope UO continues the program.
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Hailey Sheldon
Debate left me with a habit of empathy a perspective that walks a mile in the shoes of everyone I meet. And from that ever-shifting and ever-growing perspective grew my professional success and my personal peace. Long live debate.
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Areeb Alam
I credit a large part of my educational and professional accomplishments to Mock Trial. In my last year at Oregon, members of the mock trial team showed up to sit in on an ASUO meeting for three hours, asking for emergency travel funds for the next tournament on the road to the national championship. I remember every member of the ASUO senate was amazed at the turnout of our dedicated members—noting that no other student org had such a presence of not just board members and leadership, but ordinary members demonstrating the important role of mock trial in their college experiences. I’m certain Mock Trial has left such a deep impact on members since then, and that those members are more committed to the program than any other student for any other student org.
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Donald Chalmers
My careers have benefitted greatly from my participation.
What Forensics Has Meant to Me: Sujala Chittor
UO Mock Trial has made me feel like I finally belong and fit in at UO. For the time I was in the program, I met like-minded people and improved my public speaking, critical thinking, reading comprehension and analysis skills as well as teamwork skills (skills that I will take into grad school, my career, and beyond)
Shaping My Career Beyond UO: Zoe Breitigan
I took Professor Jacobsen's Oral Advocacy class through the Clark Honors College and had the opportunity to participate in a tournament as a student. The class sharpened my public speaking skills in an environment of supportive classmates. My experience at a tournament gave me confidence to continue to put myself out there and sign up for new experiences in college.
Building My Academic and Intellectual Core: Zoe Breitigan
Forensics like no other educational opportunity I've experienced, teaches you to learn both sides of a topic. Success in forensics is dependent on being able to argue both sides of an argument well. This core concept of debate taught me to value politicians that are able to see both sides of an issue, contradictory to the polarization that is glorified in American politics.
How I Found My Way to UO Forensics: Zoe Breitigan
As a high school debater I participated in numerous debate competitions hosted by colleges. A majority of tournaments were moved online due to the pandemic and ceased to operate in-person afterwards. College tournaments were the exception to this trend. In-person tournaments were always more engaging and fun and really fueled my passion for debate. In fact, during the college selection process I researched university's forensics programs as a determinant of my choice. I was thrilled when I saw Oregon had a robust forensics program. As an out-of-state student, I didn’t attend UO competitions in high school, but the fact that Oregon’s program caught the attention of a high school senior from Kentucky gives me confidence that the pipeline from students who participated in UO-hosted competitions is strong.
Here’s How You Can Support the Legacy.
Oregon Forensics has always been more than competition — it’s community, confidence, and lifelong connection.
Here’s how you can help keep that momentum going.