UWF Speech and Debate director recognized as outstanding new forensics educator

December 16, 2019 | Brandy Gottlieb | casshcommunications@uwf.edu

Dr. Adam Blood, instructor of communication and director of the UWF Speech and Debate team, recently received the Bob Derryberry Outstanding New Forensics Educator Award. Pi Kappa Delta presented the award during its  annual meeting, which was part of the National Communication Association annual conference in Baltimore, MD this past November 14-17.  

In response to receiving the award, Blood said, "I am truly honored to be recognized by such an excellent national organization. It has been a true privilege to be a part of the intercollegiate forensics community, and to be recognized by the community in this way is humbling beyond words." 

Blood said the award is named after the late Dr. Bob R. Derryberry, a nationally renowned forensics educator who coached at Southwest Baptist University. 

Pi Kappa Delta is a national organization governing intercollegiate speech and debate competition. The Bob Derryberry Outstanding New Forensics Educator Award, according to Pi Kappa Delta, “recognizes excellence among intercollegiate forensics educators who have been teaching for five or fewer years." 

"I am truly honored to be recognized by such an excellent national organization. It has been a true privilege to be a part of the intercollegiate forensics community, and to be recognized by the community in this way is humbling beyond words." - Dr. Adam Blood 

Prior to taking the director position with UWF’s Speech and Debate team, Blood previously coached at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and University of Central Missouri. 

“Dr. Derryberry was frequently one of my judges when I was a competitor, and he was known across the country for addressing students as ‘bright young scholar,’” recalled Blood. Blood continued by saying, “I absolutely revered this man. He was the kind of coach I hope to be.” 

To learn more about the UWF Speech and Debate team, or give a gift to the Forensics (speech and debate) program, visit uwf.edu/communicationdept.