Dean Edmonds Inducted into National Speech & Debate Hall of Fame

Colorado College's Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Life Mike Edmonds has been inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame.

"Dr. Edmonds is a true servant leader who has devoted much of his life in support and advancement of speech and debate activities," says J. Scott Wunn, executive director of the National Speech & Debate Association. "His commitment to the mission of the NSDA has been witnessed through his direct involvement in the diversity and inclusion efforts of the organization and his constant and steadfast support of the coaches and educators of the activity."

"I am humbled to join this rare, influential, and impactful group of educators," says Edmonds. "It is an honor to be associated with these outstanding speech educators, as well as an organization that has been so important to me throughout my life."

Edmonds has been involved in competitive speech for most of his life. His work in speech and debate earned him induction into the Gold Key Society at Emory University. He also received the Delores Taylor Arthur award from the Holy Cross School in New Orleans and the Martin Luther King award from James Logan Forensics in California.

"I love helping students, through speech and debate, find their voice, and become confident in their style so that they too can be prepared for their future," Edmonds says, noting that "Malcom X once said, 'Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.'"

Edmonds continues to find ways to serve the activity of high school debate. He has been instrumental in planning the National Speech & Debate Association's upcoming Inclusion Workshop, which will be held Aug. 4-6 at Colorado College. He also has chaired and sponsored the NSDA's African American/Black Coaches' Caucus.

Induction into the NSDA's Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame. The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 150,000 students and coaches every year.

In addition to his induction in the NSDA's Hall of Fame, Edmonds recently was selected for induction into the University of Mississippi's School of Education Alumni Hall of Fame. He earned his BA, MA, and Ph.D. from Ole Miss.

Report an issue - Last updated: 09/12/2022