Forensics coach leaving after spring semester
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: News
With a third-place victory right behind her and a state championship tournament only two days away, Jennifer Marmo, assistant director of forensics and debate, fights to wind her final semester at Hillsdale College.
She said she intends to resign at the end of the semester, though her plans are uncertain.
"I love my job, and I love my students," she said. "[But] I need out of the small town for a while."
She said she may move south. As a single woman in her mid-20s, she said she also wants an area that offers more night life than Hillsdale.
"Chances are that I'll be moving on to grad school or something else," she said.
She said she's been accepted to graduate programs at Arizona State University and Texas University. Whichever school she chooses, she plans to pursue a doctorate in communications, with a concentration in interpersonal communication.
James Brandon, associate professor of theatre and speech, said his department will miss Marmo sorely.
"I'd like to find a way to convince her to stay," he said. "She's been great for our team."
Brandon said he leads the job replacement committee. He said he has mixed feelings.
"I'm confident that we'll find somebody who does it maybe not so well as Jen," he said.
He said the committee will offer Marmo a major role in choosing her replacement. She already serves on the replacement committee.
"It means a lot to me, because I get to have some say in whom I'm leaving with my students," she said. "I don't want to bring in someone who's not going to do them justice."
Brandon interviewed the first candidate Monday, and plan to interview at least one more.
"I'd love to have this sorted out by the beginning of April," Brandon said. "But I'm not going to make any predictions."
For now, Marmo said she's keeping her focus on debate and forensics team events.
The forensics team took third place at Bowling Green State University's Super Hero Tournament this past weekend.
"We didn't expect to place in the top three, but we don't normally go to this competition in the spring," Marmo said.
Sophomore Kate Martin took second place in the Informative category.
"She's a novice," Marmo said. "[And that's] very good for a novice to do at a tournament."
Freshman Brian Hunt took third in Prose, and senior J.T, Tucker took third in Rhetorical Criticism.
Marmo said the third place victory gave her a boost. She said she will need all the energy she can muster for this Saturday's Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League state championships, which Hillsdale will host. Marmo will serve as tournament director.
"We've never hosted MISL state before, so this is a big deal for us," she said. She said the tournament, which happens in Kendall and Lane halls, will last from noon until 9 p.m.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
She said she intends to resign at the end of the semester, though her plans are uncertain.
"I love my job, and I love my students," she said. "[But] I need out of the small town for a while."
She said she may move south. As a single woman in her mid-20s, she said she also wants an area that offers more night life than Hillsdale.
"Chances are that I'll be moving on to grad school or something else," she said.
She said she's been accepted to graduate programs at Arizona State University and Texas University. Whichever school she chooses, she plans to pursue a doctorate in communications, with a concentration in interpersonal communication.
James Brandon, associate professor of theatre and speech, said his department will miss Marmo sorely.
"I'd like to find a way to convince her to stay," he said. "She's been great for our team."
Brandon said he leads the job replacement committee. He said he has mixed feelings.
"I'm confident that we'll find somebody who does it maybe not so well as Jen," he said.
He said the committee will offer Marmo a major role in choosing her replacement. She already serves on the replacement committee.
"It means a lot to me, because I get to have some say in whom I'm leaving with my students," she said. "I don't want to bring in someone who's not going to do them justice."
Brandon interviewed the first candidate Monday, and plan to interview at least one more.
"I'd love to have this sorted out by the beginning of April," Brandon said. "But I'm not going to make any predictions."
For now, Marmo said she's keeping her focus on debate and forensics team events.
The forensics team took third place at Bowling Green State University's Super Hero Tournament this past weekend.
"We didn't expect to place in the top three, but we don't normally go to this competition in the spring," Marmo said.
Sophomore Kate Martin took second place in the Informative category.
"She's a novice," Marmo said. "[And that's] very good for a novice to do at a tournament."
Freshman Brian Hunt took third in Prose, and senior J.T, Tucker took third in Rhetorical Criticism.
Marmo said the third place victory gave her a boost. She said she will need all the energy she can muster for this Saturday's Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League state championships, which Hillsdale will host. Marmo will serve as tournament director.
"We've never hosted MISL state before, so this is a big deal for us," she said. She said the tournament, which happens in Kendall and Lane halls, will last from noon until 9 p.m.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
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