The Omnibus

Issue date: 5/6/04 Section: News

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On Saturday, May 1, the Southwest Baptist University Speech Team celebrated the end of a successful year with the annual Pi Kappa Delta banquet. Speech team members, family, friends and alumni gathered in McClelland Dining Facility to share memories and acknowledge accomplishments.

Media Credit: Jennifer Harris Junior Jordan Compton, seniors Jennifer Tufts and Nathan McHargue and freshman Nathan Ross add humor to the year´s events.

The guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Thomas Huebner, Jr. Huebner, a 1987 graduate of SBU, is currently serving as the director of speech and debate at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn.

Huebner spoke of the impact the SBU Speech Team had on his career. "Everyone is familiar with the WWJD bracelets that were popular," Huebner said. "I created my own, WWBD - 'what would Bob (Derryberry) do?'"

Huebner carried many of SBU's traditions into his own speech program. His team "greens" events, which means each event has to be approved and highlighted in green to signify it is ready for competition. His program places focus on the team, not on individuals. He also encourages his team members to explore all forensics activities, rather than specializing in one specific field.

"Bob Derryberry is like my second father," Huebner said. "I want him to be proud of me."

The banquet program also included awards. The D.J. Nabors Service award for setting a Christian example went to junior Jennifer Helmers. The Stephen E. Kulmus Scholarship went to sophomore David Van Bebber and freshman Nathan Ross. The Claud J. and K. Mustain Scholarship was awarded to Helmers. The Fisher Speech Award went to freshman Rachel Ammerman. The Paul F. Wright Distinguished Speaker Award was presented to junior Bryan Fisher. The Jester Brothers Scholarship was awarded to junior Jordan Compton.

According to SBU Speech coaches Shannon Dyer and Derryberry, the speech team completed a great year of competition.

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