Concordia’s Forensics team flourished once again in their 2023-2024 speech and debate season. The students saw great success across various events and tournaments, exhibiting impressive talent and dedication from new and experienced members alike.

Sean Nowlan, director of debate and former debater, emphasized the fresh dynamics of the team, highlighting the hard work, skill and growth of its newest members. “This year [saw] more first time debaters, new partnerships and incoming freshmen than anytime in the past five years. Given our relatively new team, we’ve impressively succeeded in winning more than a dozen first place and gold medal finishes across all our debaters this season, and have the experience and ambition to perform even better next year,” Nowlan said. 

“This was my first year ever being involved in the forensics community, and it was really welcoming being able to have such a close team to really unite with,” said Jebb Fox, freshman. “Our director of debate, Sean Nowlan, and our director of speech, Blake Longfellow, both pushed me to become a better performer even though I was so new to this activity. They both knew that this was a learning curve for me, but always made sure that I was being pushed and performing to the best of my ability.”

Nowlan summarized the season’s wins, “The Debate team took first place and third as National Champions of Public Forum Debate at Pi Kappa Delta, and took a hotly contested second and third place in Parliamentary Debate at the same tournament. Daniel Boyle and Ellie Harris were the first place champions.”

“Some of my personal highlights from this year for forensics is becoming Pi Kappa Delta National Champions in Readers Theater along with James Baird, Lucy Swan, and Laura Gibson,” said Fox. “Also attending NFA (National Forensics Association) and becoming Octofinalist in duo interpretation with my partner James Baird.”

“The forensics team has worked very hard this semester,” said Laura Gibson, sophomore.

“We excelled as a team and were able to grow closer as a family. This semester allowed us to learn so much which has set us up to prepare for next year to kill it again!”

“These memories and moments I shared with my teammates while traveling across the country this year are the things that I am never going to forget and will always stick with me in or outside of this activity,” said Fox.

Nowlan’s leadership and guidance of the team comes to a bittersweet close with the end of the academic year, as he prepares to attend a fully-funded PhD program at The University of Wisconsin, Madison. He will be studying early modern European and North American history with an emphasis on transatlantic military logistics, continuing the research that began with his first place academic showcase project in 2022.

“Sean is a masterful coach who’s made a big difference for the team,” said Oliver Di Martino, junior. “I’m proud to have debated for him and sorry to see him go.”

“During my time on the team, I’ve seen Sean both as a teammate and a coach–but he’s always remained my friend,” said Benjamin Wagner, senior. “His passion for people is contagious and his ever willingness to give up his time and energy to serve others will take him far in life! I know everyone on the team will miss him, but we are all happy to see him further his education and grow as a person.”

“Coach Sean Nowlan has been a blessing and an incredible asset to the team, bringing invaluable knowledge and coaching expertise,” said Hudson Winchel, freshman. “His departure will be bittersweet; while it will be sad for the debate team, I am excited to see where his PhD will take him and what he will achieve in the future!”

Nowlan said, “My time at Concordia has changed my life forever, setting my faith on the right path, giving me friends for life in debate, the best job I’ve ever had, and being directly responsible for my success in academic study going forward.”

Interested in joining the forensics team? Reach out to professor Konrad Hack at konrad.hack@cui.edu or Blake Longfellow at blake.longfellow@cui.edu.

Tags: Forensics

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