Forensics
Speech & Debate at Whitworth University
Whitworth Forensics is an interdisciplinary program that provides a rigorous intellectual experience for students interested in the exchange of ideas and in sharpening their public speaking skills. Forensics is open to all students regardless of academic major or previous public-speaking experience.
The Whitworth Forensics Team competes in intercollegiate tournaments in the Northwest Forensics Conference and in speech and debate tournaments nationwide. Team members test their skills against some of the finest speakers in the U.S. and consistently earn regional and national recognition.
The forensics program covers the costs of tournament entry fees, supplies, travel, meals and lodging, while students contribute the time, effort, enthusiasm and commitment to excellence necessary to prepare for and compete in tournaments. Students also take a one-credit course, Applied Speech: Forensics.
2023-24 Whitworth Forensics Highlights
- National champions: At the National Christian College Forensics Association’s national tournament in March 2024 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Whitworth took first place in debate sweepstakes, took second place overall and brought home national championships in all three divisions of IPDA debate. The Arguing Bucs also competed in the International Public Debate Association’s national tournament in April at Mississippi State University. Competing against over 300 debaters from 52 schools, eight Pirates won awards at the tournament. In the national yearlong sweepstakes for the varsity division, the Pirates placed third out of 200 schools.
- Unique awards: One of our three graduating seniors, Emma Maple ’24, was recognized as the top overall competitor at four tournaments this season. She won the prestigious Mahaffey Award (often seen as the most competitive award at the most competitive tournament in the Northwest) at the Linfield University tournament and was the top competitor at the NCCFA national championship tournament. Emma won over 75 percent of her debate rounds this season.