David
Frank is a professor of rhetoric and a resident faculty member in the Robert
D. Clark Honors College. His research features the study of rhetoric and
argumentation as expressions of reason offering alternatives to violence
in human conflict. Along with oversight of the UO Forensics program, his
research includes the rhetoric of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the
rhetorical theory of Chaïm Perelman.
His most recent book is titled Shared Land/Conflicting Identity: Trajectories of Israeli and Palestinian Symbol Use (Michigan State University Press, 2002) with Robert Rowland. His other books include Debating Values and Lincoln Douglas Debate (with Michael Bartanen) and Creative Speaking. He has served as associate editor and manuscript referee for a number of academic journals and has presented more than 20 papers at international national and conferences.
Aaron Donaldson is currently enrolled as a graduate student, researching
political science and health care policy, focusing specifically on the
national health care movement. He is also the Co-Director of Forensics
and head coach of the Parliamentary Debate and Individual Events sections
of the team. Aaron competed in LD in high school, twice reaching Montana
state finals, ultimately taking first in 1999.
During four years of competition at Carroll College, he won countless firsts in individual events ranging from dramatic interpretation to platform speaking and short preparation. He twice reached quarterfinals at the AFA-NIET National tournament in impromptu speaking and advanced to quarters in Duo interp his senior year.
As a debater, he won multiple open division tournaments and speaker awards. Entering the end of the season ranked in the top 20 nation wide, Aaron was recognized as the 12th speaker overall at the 2003 National Parliamentary Debate Association Nationals tournament. He capped of his collegiate career by recieving the 2003 Coaches Commemorative Award, recognizing the top overall competitor in the North West Forensics Conference.
Aaron was also a member of the Ducks 2006 World Universities Championship debate team that competed in Dublin, Ireland and reached semi finals. He has coached successful competitors in all events for over eight years at the high school and college levels.
Paul
Hood also serves as Co-Director of Forensics. He competed successfully
in CEDA debate in Missouri in the late 80s and early 90s. He later worked
at Missouri State University, where he coached multiple NDT qualifiers
and the Missouri policy debate champions in 1996 and 1997. He has also
coached parliamentary debate at Truman State University, including the
2000 NPDA national champions. He has an MA in communication from Missouri
State University and a JD from the University of Michigan. Prior to coaching
at Oregon, he practiced law in Washington, D.C.