celebrate five decades of excellence.
Photo by Eduardo Macedo
At George Mason University our top priority is to provide students with a transformational learning experience that helps them grow as individuals, scholars, and professionals. George Mason’s Forensics Team has been dedicated to this priority and providing life-changing opportunities for students for more than 50 years.
On August 17, more than 140 alumni gathered, traveling from 16 states and overseas, to celebrate five decades of excellence alongside current Forensics Team members.
The George Mason Forensics Team is an intercollegiate speech team, and their members have been representing the university at regional and national speech competitions since the early 1970s. They compete in a wide range of events designed to persuade or move an audience through public speaking or oral interpretation of literature. For decades, George Mason Forensics has been regarded as one of the top forensics’ teams in the country. In 1979 they won the AFA National Championship, led by Professor Emeritus, Bruce “Doc” Manchester, they have placed among the top ten programs at nationals 25 times in the past 33 years, and they have ranked second in the country for the past three years.
“Fifty years ago, a group of visionary individuals, Margaret Duffner, Bruce Manchester, and Sheryl Friedley, laid the foundation for what would become a powerhouse of talent and intellect,” shared Dawn Lowry, current director of the team. “We honor their legacy and the countless contributions of students, coaches, and supporters who have carried the torch forward.”
Alumni and team members in attendance repeated messages of their shared experience on the team: commitment to hard work, discipline, friendship, and above all—a life-changing community.
“Looking back at my time as part of the Forensics Team, the experience prepared me for my career as a peacebuilder and conflict negotiator. I will never forget the lessons I learned, and I continue to learn every day,” Manal Omar, BA International Studies ’96.
“Being part of the George Mason Forensics Team provided incredible formation for my personal and professional life,” Victoria McDermott, BA Speech Communication ’90, JD ’93.
At this heartwarming event, George Mason junior Freya Hutton, treated alumni and guests to a riveting performance in Impromptu Speaking. Hutton was given a quote and 90 seconds to craft his performance, which he did while on stage with nothing more than a pencil and small note card.
Hutton received this assignment with ease, which is a testament to his experience and skill. Hutton, a philosophy student, is a tournament champion in Impromptu Speaking and was a national finalist in Rhetorical Criticism at the 2024 National Forensic Association’s National Tournament.
The quote Hutton received was provided by Professor Emerita Sheryl Friedley, known to the team as “Docette,” who served as assistant director for sixteen years.
“We are stronger together as a team than any one of us has to be as an individual.”
Stronger together, indeed.
This message was repeated by both alumni and students throughout the event. “The community behind our team is strong and palpable,” shared Prem Ganesan, a George Mason senior studying economics. “I always have the opportunity to keep learning and to keep working towards improvement with our team.”
Ganesan exemplifies the team’s dedication to continued learning and a shared pursuit of excellence. Ganesan earned the prestigious title of National Champion in Poetry at the 2024 National Forensics Association National Tournament and secured five national titles across a variety of categories, in addition to placing as a finalist in several events.
Ganesan presented their team alumni and guests with a deeply affecting poetry interpretation, an exploration of gender through the lens of reincarnation. Their performance was captivating and a powerful tribute to the strength of this team, the quality of their work, and dedication to this craft.
The Forensics Team celebration was accentuated by the announcement of a landmark gift to the team from Professor Emeritus Bruce Manchester and his partner and husband of 46 years, James “Fred” Emory. This transformative planned gift from Manchester and Emory is the largest commitment to date pledged by a George Mason faculty member. Their gift will establish endowments to support the director of forensics and the assistant director of forensics and provide lasting support to the program.
Manchester reinforced how this team has, for decades, provided strength and community to countless George Mason students. The shared experiences of sacrifice, research, practice, study, and competition have helped build individuals by growing within a team.
“The team was a place for people to be their authentic self and this created a positive experience that made a difference for so many,” remembers Nicolette Stearns, BA Speech Communication ’85, MA Curriculum and Instruction ’92.
“In addition to learning public speaking and how to craft persuasive arguments, I learned how to be a supportive team member. I brought these skills to my work in training and consulting, and I was able to teach others.”
Stearns shared that George Mason Forensics became the foundation for her life, both personal and professional. Her teammates became her closest friends—they have shared life together for the past 40 years—raising kids, holding monthly dinners, and have even officiated each other’s weddings.
The outcome is clear—George Mason Forensics—has achieved excellence in preparing our students to thrive, cultivating their sense of curiosity, and building lasting community for generations.
Photo by Eduardo Macedo
Learn more about Manchester and Emory’s transformational gift to the team. The George Mason Forensics Team is housed within the Department of Communication in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
August 22, 2024