In 1989 I signed up for a class called “forensics.” It was two credits, in my major (Rhetoric & Communications) and fit into my schedule. Besides those factors, I had no idea what I was getting into. In the three years that followed, I cultivated skills, knowledge, and relationships that would last a lifetime and serve me in countless ways. Dr. David Frank was the director of forensics at that time and was instrumental in my growth as a scholar of argumentation. Dr. Frank saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, and along with the other speech and debate coaches and senior members of the team, he mentored and encouraged me to push through my self-doubt. During my tenure as an Oregon debator, I learned research, writing, critical thinking and oral advocacy skills that led me to a successful academic and professional career in the law. More importantly, I found my voice and I found my people. The program connected me to the University in a way nothing else did. I have been a proud alumni and have returned to campus numerous times to support Oregon’s high school and intercollegiate debate tournaments and related events.

After graduation, I continued my involvement in forensics by coaching debate at Willamette University while attending law school. I have enjoyed great success as a trial lawyer in Oregon including serving as the Attorney in Charge of the Child Advocacy Section at the Oregon Department of Justice and as United States Attorney during the Obama administration. In both those positions I oversaw hiring of countless attorneys and law clerks. Whenever an applicants resume includes participation in forensics, it has moved to the top of the stack. As a managing attorney I have found time and time again that there is nothing more predictive of the success of an attorney than a background in forensics.

Today I run my own small firm and represent clients in litigation in state, federal, and tribal courts. But, my most important job is being a mother to three young adult sons, Eli, Samuel, and Henry Wiles, all of whom have attended the University of Oregon. All of my children debated at McMinnville High School (MHS). For the past ten years I have volunteered coaching debate at MHS and have encouraged several high school debaters, my sons included, to apply to Oregon.

When my oldest son, Eli, was considering a generous offer to debate at Wake Forest, his father (State Court Judge, Ladd Wiles, Oregon Forensics Class of 1992) sat him down and talked to him about the priceless opportunity he would have if he accepted the offer of admission from the Clark Honors College (CHC) which would enable him to be mentored by Director of Forensics, Dr. Trond Jacobsen. We knew, from our own experience, that the Oregon Forensics program provides unmatched educational opportunities that are only available because of the strong tradition of leadership and institutional commitment to excellence exemplified by both Dr. Frank and Dr. Jacobsen. In 2023, Eli graduated from the CHC Summa Cum Laude, with degrees in Environmental Science and Political Science. He and his high school debate partner, Tommy Douglas (also a 2023 CHC graduate) successfully and proudly represented the University in numerous debate tournaments during their four years at Oregon, competing in a new format of debate created by a group of northwest forensics scholars, including Dr. Jacobsen.

Last month I moved my youngest son into his dorm at U of O. He isn’t sure he is going to debate, and with the current uncertainty about the future of the program, he is going to wait until next year to decide. I continue to be a proud Oregon alumni and it is my sincere hope that future generations of ducks will have the same opportunity I had to find their voices, and their people.