1926-1927 Whitman Speech and Debate Team

Faculty

William Earl Beem, Director of the team

W.R. Davis probably continued to help out the team on the side.

Whitman News

I. Whitman College in 1926-1927

A. S. B. L. Penrose was the college president.

B. Kenneth Fry was the student body president.

C. Hattie Gordon was the student body vice president.

D. Thomas Burke, an officer on the board of overseers, died on December 4, 1926.

E. Penrose House was nearing completion.

II. At Whitman

A. Women at Whitman wore dresses and dress coats and were called “miss.”

B. Whitman men wore sweaters and suits and dominated the campus in numbers.

The Hunter building in 1926-1927

Extemp Speaker on the team

Interclass debaters

Speech in the English Department News

(1927)

COURSES IN SPEAKING

6. Public Speaking.—This course aims to develop the ability to speak effectively. It includes instruction in the principles of oral composition, correction of voice and speech defects, training in right vocal habits, and practice in speaking. Sections are limited to fifteen students. Required of Freshmen. One hour, three terms.

7. Argumentation and Debate.—The aim of this course is not so much to develop skill in formal debate as to give the student the power to consider disputed questions calmly and logically. Students interested in intercollegiate forensics are advised to take at least one term of the course. Open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Four hours, first term; two hours, second term.

8. Forms of Public Address.—The course includes a study of selected addresses prepared for special occasions and practice in the composition and delivery of occasional speeches. Open to Juniors and Seniors. Two hours, second and third terms.

30. Extemporaneous Speaking.—Practice in extemporaneous speaking on topics of current interest. Open to Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. Two hours, third term.

9. Dramatic Interpretation and Play Production.—In the first term, this course gives instruction and training in dramatic interpretation; in the second and third terms, in play production. Open to Juniors and Seniors, and to Sophomores by consent of the instructor. The enrolment is limited to twenty students. Four hours, first term; two hours, second and third terms.

THE JOHN BRINING PRIZES IN FRESHMAN EXTEMPORANEOUS~ SPEAKING.—Mr. John Brining, of Dayton, Washington, offers two prizes, on of twenty and one of ten dollars, to winners in a speaking contest open to members of the Freshman class. The contest is held during Commencement week. Contestants receive their subjects two hours before they speak. In preparing their speeches they are not permitted to consult any person. (1915)

THE WILLIAM THOMAS DOVELL PRIZES IN ORATORY.—Alumni members of the Board of Overseers have established two prizes, one of thirty dollars and one of twenty dollars, in memory of the late William Thomas Dovell, a member of the class of 1888, upon the following conditions: The prizes are awarded upon the basis of an oratorical contest to be held during Commencement week, provided that at least four contestants participate. The contest is open to members of the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior classes. The orations are limited to two thousand words. Contestants present their subjects to the head of the English Department for approval not later than the third Tuesday of February. If more than six contestants submit orations, they present them to the head of the English Department not later than April fifteenth for submission to a board of judges on thought and composition who select the six best orations for the Commencement contest. The judges on thought and on delivery are selected by a committee consisting of the president of the College and the heads of the departments of English and History. (1918)

THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF WHITMAN COLLEGE, an organization of which every student is a member, has control of Student activities in athletics, in journalism, in debate and oratory, and in music. The dues, five dollars per term, payable by every student, are collected by the Bursar of the College.

The John Brining Prizes in Freshman Extemporaneous Speaking—

First: ELIZABETH JANE O’BRIEN, Class of 1929

Second: EUGENE STORM KLISE, Class of 1929

The William Thomas Dovell Prizes in Oratory—

First: CHARLES GORGON HANNAFORD, Class of 1926

Second: JACK GORDON GOSE, Class of 1926

Oratory competitor

Whitman team versus the University of Sydney

World News

· Whitman and the world was still recovering from World War I. Whitman honored students who gave their lives in the Great War.

· Women still searched for greater rights after a successful women’s suffrage movement.

· Calvin Coolidge, who was jokingly said to have been “raised on a pickle,” was the president and claimed that “he’d rather be liked than good.”

· “Stalin won his battle for control of the Soviets and, in 1926, he ousted Trotsky from the Party.”

· “The Ford Trimotor was introduced by the Ford Corporation.”

· “Jozef Klemens Pifsudzki, a Polish marshal, moved troops into Warsaw and forced the resignation of the Polish premier.”

· “General strike in Britain brings nation's activities to standstill.”

· “U.S. marines dispatched to Nicaragua during revolt; they remain until 1933.”

· “Gertrude Ederle of U.S. is first woman to swim English Channel.”

· “Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises” is published.

· “Germany joins the League of Nations.”

· “In South Africa, Prime Minister M.B. Herzog introduces the Mines and Works Amendment Act, which excludes blacks and Asians (people of Indian heritage) from all skilled and some semi-skilled mining jobs.”

· “Japan's Emperor Taisho dies.”

Debaters at the competition held at the University of Puget Sound.

Women’s triangular debates

Team News

History Notes From Pio

Feb. 4^th, 1927

Twelve people were chosen for debate squad. These include Maurine Hall, Elizabeth Galloway, Pauline Greenway, Dorothy Jack, Mary Walker, Lenore Martin, Harry Rothrock, Chester Babcock, Eugene Klith, Kenneth Garner, and Howard Manning.

Oct. 16^th, 1927

Harry Rothrock, Mark Bradford, and Chester Babcock debate a team from Australia in first competition of the year. This was the second international debate ever, and was held in Wa-Hi Auditorium. Whitman was to negate the topic: “Resolved: The Modern Press Exercises a Harmful Influence on the Community.” No decision was made on the debate, as it was deemed impossible to decide without bias.

January 28^th, 1927

Whitman debate goes to OSU and debates at a major competition. Highlighting future was the President of Delta Sigma Rho (Honorary Debate Fraternity) presiding and judging rounds.