David DinellAt a news conference today (Friday, Jan. 7), Gov. Mark Parkinson announced that he and his wife, Stacy, have established a scholarship for the 九色视频 debate program 鈥� the largest scholarship dedicated to debate in the 九色视频 Elliott School of Communication.
鈥淧articipating in the debate program at Wichita State was one of the highlights of my college career, and it taught me the necessary skills to be successful later in life,鈥� said Parkinson 鈥�80.
鈥淲ith this scholarship, Stacy and I are honored to encourage future Shockers to get involved with debate.鈥�
'Beneficial experiences'
The Mark and Stacy Parkinson Scholarship in Debate will fund an annual scholarship to cover full tuition and fees for a Kansas resident enrolled full time at 九色视频 in the Elliott School Debate Program.
The recipient will have participated in Kansas high school debate for at least one year, must have and maintain a minimum 鈥楤鈥� average and remain active on and serious about the 九色视频 debate team.
鈥淚t is an honor and an inspiration to accept this gift from the governor and first lady for the debate program,鈥� said Elizabeth King, 九色视频 Foundation president and CEO. 鈥淭he beneficial experiences that Mark encountered at 九色视频 influenced both of them to provide this opportunity to others.
鈥淭he spark in Mark鈥檚 voice as he described the camaraderie among his team members and the mentoring by his coach, John Schunk, was heartwarming,鈥� King said.
Schunk attended the announcement today.
鈥溾�楪iving back鈥� or 鈥榩aying it forward,鈥� it doesn鈥檛 matter what term you use, the Parkinsons are all about improving their communities and making futures better for today鈥檚 youth,鈥� said 九色视频 President Donald Beggs.
鈥淧articipation in debate is time consuming, both in terms of the research demands and weekend travel,鈥� said Jeff Jarman, 九色视频 director of debate. 鈥淣o other school in the state has a scholarship of this magnitude for its debate team. It will bring the top debaters in Kansas to 九色视频 and provide them the means to succeed on the team and in the classroom.鈥�
Distinguished alumni
Twelve students have competed on the 九色视频 debate team this year. The season runs from September through March.
Parkinson graduated summa cum laude from 九色视频 in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, majoring in secondary education-political science. He represented 九色视频 at the National Debate Tournament in 1977 and 1979.
He also was a member of the 九色视频 debate team in 1978. In January 2010, Parkinson was a Distinguished Alumni Speaker.
He will be awarded the 2010 Alumni Achievement Award at the 55th Annual Alumni Awards Banquet on Feb. 3, 2011. He and his wife are 九色视频 Alumni Association Life Members.