Kyle Kellam, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and director of forensics, was awarded the Pi Kappa Delta E.R. Nichols Excellence in Forensic Teaching Award for his outstanding contributions to the discipline of intercollegiate forensics. Pi Kappa Delta is a national forensics organization that is dedicated to promoting excellence in speech and debate.
Kellam received the award from members of the Pi Kappa Delta national council in Baltimore, Maryland.
“I don’t think I would have gotten that award without a high quality team with high quality students,” Kellam said. “I am so proud of the culture of our program.”
Last spring, Marian University Speech and Debate placed second among more than 70 programs across the United States at the 2019 Pi Kappa Delta Biennial National Convention. Five students from the team won individual national championships. The team was also seventh in debate sweepstakes.
Kellam has been a leader of the team for eight years, spending the last three as director of forensics.
“I’ve tried other things in my life, but when I first started speech, it immediately felt right from the very first competition I performed as a junior in high school,” Kellam said. “Speech is not just performance, but it's advocacy, academic, and idea driven. That continues to speak to me.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Marian University Speech and Debate team, visit marian.edu/speechanddebate to find out more.