March 27, 2025

Ferris State Speech and Debate Team shines at Pi Kappa Delta national tournament

Speech and Debate Team achieves success — Pictured are members of the Speech and Debate Team celebrating their success.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —

Ferris State University’s Speech and Debate Team delivered an outstanding performance at the Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Speech and Debate Tournament.

Competing against 54 schools, including Ivy League institutions, and with approximately 2,000 total event entries, the Ferris State team showcased talent and perseverance, bringing home multiple national honors at the event earlier this month at Ohio University.

“I'm humbled by the sheer significance and honor of these awards,” said Aimee Miller, instructor of Communication and director of Speech and Debate. “What a powerful, remarkable representation of Ferris State University in the prestigious speech and debate community. Please join me in congratulating our team and these individual students!”

The competition was fierce, but Ferris State’s team proved their excellence on the national stage. Among the standout performances:

Jonathen Hart, a Sports Communications major, secured second place in Extemporaneous Commentary, making him the No. speaker in the nation for this event.
Seth Brott, an Information Security and Intelligence major, and Rose House, a Natural Science major, reached the quarterfinals in the Dramatic Duo Interpretation category, placing them among the Top 25 in the nation.
Abigail “AJ” Trowbridge, a Psychology major, earned an Excellence Award in Interviewing, ranking in the Top 30 percent nationally.

These achievements highlight the dedication, skill, and hard work of Ferris State’s team as they competed against some of the country’s most prestigious programs.

Hart’s second-place finish in Extemporaneous Commentary marks the highest placement Ferris State achieved at this tournament and is the highest national placement in coach history.

Extemporaneous Commentary, an asynchronous event with extensive participation, demands quick thinking and articulate analysis.

Brott and House’s quarterfinal finish in Dramatic Duo Interpretation further solidified Ferris State’s standing in the national speech and debate community. The event requires seamless coordination and delivery, and their ability to connect with audiences carried them into the Top 25 nationally.

Trowbridge’s Excellence Award in Interviewing demonstrates her consistent strength in the event. With a similar success at the Gorlock Gala in St. Louis, Trowbridge’s performance at Nationals confirms her place among the top 30 percent in the country.

Additional information about the Speech and Debate team is available here.