PRESS RELEASE
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
CONTACT: Anthony McMullen (501) 852-0695; amcmullen@uca.edu
January 24, 2013
UCA FORENSICS TO HOST BEAR CLAW INVITATIONAL
By Spencer Mercy
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office
CONWAY — Up to 200 high school students are expected to compete in the Bear Claw Invitational, a debate/communications skills competition, Feb. 8-9 on the University of Central Arkansas campus.
Officials expect a wide range of schools mainly from Central Arkansas and the Arkansas River Valley.
UCA has had a long tradition of debate and forensics. After a lull of a few years, the activity is once again growing. Dr. Jim Hikins, chair of UCA’s Department of Communication, said that with the revival of debate at UCA, it only made sense to bring a high school tournament to campus.
This is one of many qualifying events for the Arkansas Communication and Theater Arts Association (ACTAA). This competition will have several individual events that will challenge students’ communication skills, Hikins said.
Anthony McMullen, director of the UCA Forensics Program, said the tournament would be beneficial for all involved.
“It is a good outreach for the campus and a good opportunity to give back to the community,” he said.
Hikins said the tournament would provide an opportunity for high school students to see the campus as well as see the standards in place at the university.
The event will take place throughout the campus, with headquarters at McCastlain Hall. Registrationwill be at 3:30 p.m. Friday with events scheduled throughout the evening. Saturday’s competition will begin at 8 a.m.
Admission is free.
For more information, contact McMullen at (501) 852-0695 or amcmullen@uca.edu.
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