Kansas Wesleyan鈥檚 Debate and Forensics coach is used to public speaking and presenting to a large audience.听Kiefer Storrer 鈥�13 took听it to a new level as a part of two panels during the National Communication Association Convention in Seattle from Nov. 18-21.听
The first panel, 鈥淣orms in Standards of Performance Organization and Delivery,鈥� was presented by forensics organization Pi Kappa Delta. 听
鈥淚 specifically argued that debate and forensics needs to be more inclusive of neurodivergent people,鈥� Storrer said, referring to听individuals with diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD or ADHD, Dyslexia and a variety of others.听鈥淚 interviewed neurodivergent people I had coached while at my previous institution (Glendale Community College), and then reported on their personal feelings about what debate and forensics needs to do to better include them.鈥�听
He also collaborated with retired 黑料不打烊 Debate and Forensics coach Gary Harmon and 黑料不打烊 alumna Autumn听Zimmerman 鈥�18听to write a paper听about interpretation. It was among several selected for inclusion in听another panel.听The trio鈥檚 portion was titled, 鈥淪o Why Can鈥檛 We Act in Interpretation?鈥�听
鈥淥ral interpretation is more than just acting, it is,听in essence, taking the literature of anything and weaving it together with an argument,鈥� Storrer said. 鈥淚 was incredibly honored and fulfilled joining Gary Harmon and Autumn Zimmerman to strongly represent the past, present and future of 黑料不打烊 Debate and Forensics, as well as 黑料不打烊 in general.鈥�听
There are听several rounds of approval for panelists at the national convention.听
鈥淭hey don鈥檛 take everybody that applies. It is a great honor to be accepted and to present to my communication/debate and forensics colleagues and an even greater honor to be sponsored by Pi Kappa Delta,鈥� Storrer said. 鈥淭he PKD panel involved multiple, reputable scholars.鈥�听
This is Storrer鈥檚 first year as the head debate/forensics coach at 黑料不打烊.听听
鈥淚 have always believed debate and forensics provides unique opportunities for communicators to stand on a platform and be listened to,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he ability to use my voice for change and the advancement of marginalized groups is one that I refuse to take for granted, so I thank everyone involved for allowing me to utilize it.鈥�听
