Gustavus Adolphus College has a storied past in competitive speech and debate dating back more than 100 years. But the 2004-05 Gustavus forensic team may prove to be strongest and most celebrated among all those the College has produced. The team placed in the top five at 9 of 22 meets leading up to the Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association State Championships in February 2005. At the state championships, the Gusties finished second overall in the open division, behind only Minnesota State University, Mankato. The parliamentary debate team earned first place, giving Gustavus the state parliamentary debate championship for the third consecutive year. Sophomore Andrea Carlile finished second in persuasive speaking, qualifying for the Interstate Oratorical Association National Contest, which is the nation’s oldest annual public speaking contest, bringing together 60 of the top collegiate persuasive speakers in the country. Gustavus had not sent a speaker for this event in more than 20 years before Carlile qualified; she will be the only Minnesota private college student to attend this year’s event. For more information click on
Forensics.