[eDebate] Frank Harrison's retirement

[NEIL BERCH]

I could not let this pass without comment.  When I entered the debate 
community as a pressed-into-service, never-debated Director of Debate 
(nothing like starting at the top!), Frank was one of the first people to 
greet me and provide me with guidance on how to run a program (and seemed 
pleased that I was a political scientist, with whom he could exchange 
political gossip).

Over the years, as I gained an understanding of the debate community, I came 
to realize how much Frank and I disagreed on debate politics, debate theory, 
running a debate program, politics, and the weather forecast.  He never let 
these disagreements interfere with our friendship.

I was so impressed with the way that Frank handled himself as President of 
the American Debate Association.  Through a series of contentious annual 
meetings (Frank presided over the infamous 10-hour business meeting), Frank 
never let his very strong views interfere with his desire to be impartial in 
his role as President.  He was scrupulously fair to those of us who 
disagreed with him.  His integrity is impeccable.

I am so pleased that we at WVU awarded the first John Jacobsohn Memorial 
Award to Frank Harrison (and Dr. Jacobsohn's family was pleased as well).  
We awarded it to Frank for his commitment to public service, for his 
dedication to his students and to other people's students, and, most of all, 
for the example he sets in how he treats everyone he meets.

I am proud to call Frank Harrison my friend.  I hope that everyone in the 
debate community will join me in wishing him a long, happy, and healthy 
retirement.  I hope Frank continues to drop in at the occasional tournament; 
I know I will missing seeing him on a more regular basis.

--Neil Berch
West Virginia University



>From: "Harrison, Frank" <fharriso at trinity.edu>

>To: <edebate at ndtceda.com>

>Subject: [eDebate] (no subject)

>Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 21:09:15 -0500

>

>Dear Colleagues:

>

>In September, a bleeding ulcer which had been dormant for twenty years came 

>back at me with a vengance. I was hospitalized for a week and have been 

>recuperating at home, on medical leave, since that time. In the interim, it 

>became clear to me that I would not be well enough to return to work for 

>the Spring semester. As a result, I have decided to retire from the 

>University effective December 15th.

>

>Under the circumstances, Trinity has determined to suspend the Debate 

>program for the remainder of the 2006-07 academic year. They will also 

>initiate a search for a tenure track replacement for me. The objective is 

>to have that person in place for the beginning of the 2007-08 academic 

>year. One of the requirements for the position will be that the candidate 

>have a Ph.D. in Speech or Communication in hand at the time of appointment.

>

>Trinity Debate will resume in the Fall of 2007. I am told, however, that it 

>may (not necessarily will) be in a slightly different form than has been 

>the case to date. Its exact parameters will be discussed and decided among 

>our Administration, the Speech side of our Department and the newly 

>appointed Director.

>

>Best wishes,

>

>Frank Harrison

>

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