Pacific University Speech Team
"Forensics," derived from the Latin term for ensis and closely related to forum. It is the art or study of argumentation and formal debate. The Greeks organized contests for speakers that developed and recognized the abilities their society felt central to democracy. The term "forensic" has also become associated with the art and science of legal evidence and argument. Our association researches and trains in the earlier and more global skills of argument and public advocacy.
The Pacific University Speech Team is a member of the Northwest Forensics Conference, representing colleges and universities in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah and California. Pacific’s award-winning speech team attends eight to ten tournaments a year to compete with other colleges and universities in speech events. Since 2000, Pacific’s Speech Team has finished in the top three for season sweepstakes in our division every year, including third place for the 2008-2009 season.
2009-2010 Pacific University Speech Team
The benefits of participating on the Speech Team are as diverse as the events the team competes in.
- Participating in speech helps to develop skills in critical thinking, research methods, organization, language usage, listening, and public speaking.
- Speech also helps with career preparation. All professions demand skills in language – writing, thinking, reading, speaking, and listening.
- Finally, forensics is fun. Through forensics you will develop friendships with students from Pacific and other colleges and universities. Through teamwork and cooperation, the team succeeds and team members enjoy their experiences with speech and debate.
Open to all Pacific University students, the Speech Team invites you to become part of this winning tradition.