Marshall University Thundering Word Speech and Debate Team

06/03/2026

The Thundering Word congratulates one of its own - Jane Frideczky Pruitt - on her well-deserved retirement. Some of you had an opportunity to meet Jane and several of her Charleston Catholic High School speech and debate team members via Zoom during this year's high school tournament awards assembly as we honored Charlie Midkiff with the Clara Adkins and Danny Ray Heart of Forensics Award.

Jane and the current Director of Forensics were two of the first students to take a leadership class from a brand new Marshall University faculty member named Dr. Robert Bookwalter in about 1987? Dr. Bookwalter received the Heart of Forensics Award in 2025 and is also retiring - for a second time - in a few weeks.

Their successors will have large shoes to fill.

05/21/2026

It's always nice to learn what Thundering Word alumni are doing. Sometimes that's as simple as reading the news or turning on the television.

Former 1990s Lincoln-Douglas debater Stephen New is making news today for filing an appeal in the WV Supreme Court of Appeals over Appalachian Power Company's $40 million rate increase approved by the WV Public Service Commission.

And former Lincoln Countian and Duo Queen Kristi Stratton Tolley was recently promoting her latest book "100 Things To Do in North Carolina Before You Die" on WBTV-TV in Charlotte.

05/14/2026

In our earlier post spotlighting Dr. Christian Adams, we mentioned that the University of Kentucky faculty is a beneficiary of more than one Thundering Word alumni. Today we spotlight a second: Dr. Kayla Johnson (right), associate professor in the Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation and Director of the JOHNson Lab. Learn more about Kayla's academic work here. https://education.uky.edu/research/our-research/johnson-lab?fbclid=IwY2xjawRyBWtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeLBFAmCapYKz3HXgBRWjR_9ph--8uQNDVvV1mcBgngBtxJMku4q5kfm3boak_aem_fO_gspzvF8sW9Ap7QmqvJQ

Also you may notice a familiar face on the left. That is Sarah Meadows Davis, Senior Director of Advising of Marshall University, who has an office right down the hall from the Thundering Word. You may wonder how these two people know one another: Sarah was Kayla's coach in the early 2010s. At that point, the team was directed by two young Marshall University Communication Studies graduate assistants - Sarah and Danny Ray. Sarah still judges at our college and high school tournaments. Once a member of the , always a member.

Our next stop on our will be to yet a third University of Kentucky faculty member, who, like Sarah, came to the Thundering Word as a Marshall University Communication Studies graduate assistant in the late 1980s.

05/10/2026

🤩🥰😢

05/09/2026

The speech and debate team will miss our longtime neighbor and friend.

🎉 Celebrating the Retirement of Dr. Barbara Tarter 🎉

Today we celebrate the remarkable career and lasting legacy of Dr. Barbara Tarter, whose dedication to higher education, service, and student success has shaped countless lives.

Dr. Tarter’s academic journey began at Ohio University, where she completed her B.S., Master’s, and Ph.D. in just six years. Her career took her across the country—from serving as an Assistant Professor at Southwest Texas State University, to leadership roles as Director of Admissions and Assistant Vice President at Emporia State University, and later as Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean for Enrollment at Austin Peay State University.

Dr. Tarter joined Marshall University, serving as Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Enrollment, and later as a valued member of the Communication Studies faculty, serving 29 years at Marshall. A passionate educator, she has taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including First Year Seminar, Legal Communication, Persuasion, Organizational Communication, Grant Writing, Consulting, and more—always with a focus on helping students grow personally and professionally.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Tarter’s impact is extensive. She has served as a Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, consulted on enrollment efforts for colleges, universities, and the U.S. Army, and authored numerous successful grants—including three million-dollar TRIO grants that expanded access and opportunity for Marshall students.

Guided by her faith, Dr. Tarter is deeply committed to service and mission work, supporting organizations such as the Huntington City Mission, Branches, Dress for Success, and missionaries in Mexico. And as anyone who knows her can attest—her love for animals is legendary, from her two Rottweilers to the many critters she cares for and welcomes.

Dr. Tarter’s career reflects a life of service, leadership, mentorship, and purpose. We are profoundly grateful for her years of commitment to Marshall University and the countless students and colleagues whose lives she has enriched. We wish her every joy and fulfillment in this next chapter.

💚💙 Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Tarter!

04/27/2026

The Marshall University Thundering Word wrapped up its season today with a showcase during the Communication Studies Department’s awards ceremony.

The showcase also marked the close of the forensics journeys of Demi Lamp, Ryann Province, and Grace Urling. Their voices, efforts, and presence have meant so much to our small corner of the forensics world, and tonight it feels a little quieter without them. At the same time, we know the world beyond our little team will be brighter because of who they are and what they will bring to it.

We are endlessly proud, incredibly grateful, and already feeling how much you will be missed.💚😥💚

04/24/2026

Celebrating one of our own! We are extremely proud of Alyssa's contributions to Marshall University and to the Huntington community.

04/24/2026

The Thundering Word finished its season at the IPDA National Tournament at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN. Congratulations to Mason Wheeler for advancing to the double-octafinal round in the Junior Varsity Division.

03/22/2026

UPDATED:

We have been remiss in keeping our friends updated about team member successes this academic year. But better late than never.

The PKD National Tournament in Springfield, Missouri, has come to an end. Awards won include:

TEAM SWEEPSTAKES: 10th Place Debate

IPDA DEBATE - VARSITY: Demi Lamp, Senior, reached the Octofinal Round.

IPDA DEBATE - JUNIOR VARSITY: Joshua Hardesty, Sophomore, reached the Quarterfinal Round and was 5th Place Speaker.

Mason Wheeler, Sophomore, received an Excellence Award and was 7th Place Speaker.

IPDA DEBATE - TEAM: Mason Wheeler, Sophomore, and Eli Morris, Freshman, reached the Quarterfinal Round.

PROSE: Addison Crum, Senior/Graduate Student, received an Excellence Award.

PROGRAM ORAL INTERP: Maxwell Harris, Freshman, received an Excellence Award.

INTERVIEWING: Joshua Hardesty and Mason Wheeler received Excellence Awards.

10/20/2025

We’re gearing up for the Marshall University Memorial PKD75 / Ohio University Back to Green PKD18 Speech & Debate Tournament and we need judges from November 14-16!

Fill out the Judge Availability Form to join us and support student voices in action.

📩 Click the link below, fill out the form, and email it to Dennis Taylor at [email protected] to sign up as a judge.

https://livemarshall-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/taylor41_marshall_edu/ESTrsF0bs5hDoQ-RVr9DMYwB6vR4W9am0tcSwoY6ijL_Lw?e=22FDfj