George Mason University aims to provide students with a transformational learning experience that helps them grow as individuals, scholars, and professionals. George Mason’s Forensics Team has been dedicated to this priority and providing opportunities for students for more than 50 years.
On Aug. 17, more than 140 team alumni gathered, traveling from 16 states and overseas, to celebrate five decades of excellence alongside current Forensics Team members.
George Mason’s intercollegiate speech team has represented the university at regional and national speech competitions since the early 1970s. They compete in a wide range of events designed to persuade or move an audience through public speaking or oral interpretation of literature.
For decades, George Mason has been regarded as one of the top forensics teams in the country. In 1979, the team won the American Forensic Association’s national championship. The team has placed among the top 10 programs at nationals 25 times in the past 33 years, and they have ranked second in the country for the past three years.
“Fifty years ago, a group of visionary individuals, Margaret Duffner, Bruce Manchester, and Sheryl Friedley, laid the foundation for what would become a powerhouse of talent and intellect,” said Dawn Lowry, current director of the team. “We honor their legacy and the countless contributions of students, coaches, and supporters who have carried the torch forward.”
Alumni and team members in attendance shared stories from their experience on the team: commitment to hard work, discipline, friendship, and above all—an enduring community.
“Looking back at my time as part of the Forensics Team, the experience prepared me for my career as a peacebuilder and conflict negotiator. I will never forget the lessons I learned, and I continue to learn every day,” said Manal Omar, BA International Studies ’96.
“Being part of the Forensics Team provided incredible formation for my personal and professional life,” said Victoria McDermott, BA Speech Communication ’90, JD ’93.
At the reunion, George Mason junior Freya Hutton treated alumni and guests to a performance in Impromptu Speaking. Hutton was given a quote and 90 seconds to craft his performance, which he did while on stage with nothing more than a pencil and small note card.
The quote Hutton received—“We are stronger together as a team than any one of us has to be as an individual”—was provided by Professor Emerita Sheryl Friedley, known to the team as “Docette,” who served as assistant director for 16 years.
He tackled the assignment with ease, which is a testament to his experience and skill. Hutton, a philosophy major, is a tournament champion in Impromptu Speaking and was a national finalist in Rhetorical Criticism at the 2024 National Forensic Association’s National Tournament.
This message was repeated by both alumni and students throughout the event. “The community behind our team is strong and palpable,” said Prem Ganesan, a George Mason senior studying economics. “I always have the opportunity to keep learning and to keep working toward improvement with our team.”
Ganesan exemplifies the team’s dedication to continued learning and a shared pursuit of excellence. They earned the prestigious title of National Champion in Poetry at the 2024 National Forensics Association National Tournament and secured five national titles across a variety of categories, in addition to placing as a finalist in several events.
Ganesan presented a poetry interpretation, an exploration of gender through the lens of reincarnation. Their performance was a powerful tribute to the strength of the team, the quality of their work, and dedication to this craft.
The Forensics Team celebration was accentuated by the announcement of a landmark gift to the team from Professor Emeritus Bruce Manchester and his partner of 46 years, James “Fred” Emory. This planned gift from Manchester and Emory is the largest commitment to date pledged by a George Mason faculty member. Their gift will establish endowments to support the director and assistant director of forensics positions and provide lasting support to the program.
Manchester reinforced how this team has, for decades, provided strength and community to countless George Mason students.
“The team was a place for people to be their authentic self and this created a positive experience that made a difference for so many,” said Nicolette Stearns, BA Speech Communication ’85, MEd Curriculum and Instruction ’92.
“In addition to learning public speaking and how to craft persuasive arguments, I learned how to be a supportive team member,” Stearns added. “I brought these skills to my work in training and consulting, and I was able to teach others.”
Stearns shared that George Mason Forensics became the foundation for her life, both personal and professional. Her teammates became her closest friends—they have shared life together for the past 40 years—raising kids, holding monthly dinners, and have even officiated each other’s weddings.
The outcome is clear. George Mason Forensics has achieved excellence in preparing our students to thrive, cultivating their sense of curiosity, and building lasting community for generations.