College of Arts & Sciences
Gary Gillespie
Associate Professor
Communication
- Cert. Capernway Bible School, 1976
- B.A. Western Washington University, 1979
- M.A. Western Washington University, 1982
Courses Taught
- COMM 1212 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
- COMM 2003 Introduction to Human Communication
- COMM 3223 Advanced Speech Communication
- COMM 2253 Debating Controversies
- COMM 3282
- COMM 3263 Small Group Dynamics and Discussion
- COMM 3711 Forensics:Individual Speaking Events
- COMM 3721 Forensics: Debate Team
- COMM 4942
Contributions
Gillespie, Gary. "Let the Games Begin: Tips for Winning Debates," IDEBATE, magazine of the International Debate Education Association, January 2003.
Gillespie, Gary. "Message in an Electronic Bottle: the Internet After 9/11." Interface: The Journal of Education, Community and Values of the Berglund Center for Internet Studies, August-September, 2002.
Gillespie, Gary. “Are We Having Fun Yet? A Debater’s Guide to Happiness." Parliamentary Debate, National Parliamentary Debate Association, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA. 5 vol.1 (2000, August) 70--79
Gillespie, Gary. Pro-Life Talking Points: Speaking Out for Human Dignity, first and second editions published by Human Life of Washington in 1997 and 1999.
Gillespie, Gary. “Abortion as Symbolic Action: Fetal Victimage in Pro-choice and Pro-life Rhetoric” When Life and Choice Collide: Essays on Rhetoric and Abortion, ed. David Mall, Kairos Books, Inc. Libertyville, Illinois. (1994) 229-249.
Additional Articles in the Pentecostal Evangel, the Eastside Journal, the Northwest Catholic and Human Life News.
Interests
Associate Professor Gary Gillespie has taught communication and speech courses since 1980. He came to Northwest the fall of 1985. As a high school and college student he spoke 300 times at speech competitions. During his career as an instructor and debate coach, he has critiqued more than 4,500 student speeches.
Gillespie coaches the Northwest debate team, which ranked in the top 13 percent of the nation for 2003 - 2004 among the 351 colleges and universities in the National Parliamentary Debate Association. The team placed tenth in the nation in 2000. He has the third longest tenure of all debate coaches in the five northwest states. The Eagle Debate team has made final rounds at every NPDA national tournament since 1996.
In the fall of 2002, communication major and debater Christina Reasner became one of 25 top American college students -- the only one from a non-Ivy League school -- accepted into the Oxford University Honors Program in London. The program is similar to the Rhodes Scholar but for undergrads. She joined the Oxford Debating Society, the oldest debate organization in the world.
One team won first place at the International Forensics Association tournament in Vancouver, Canada in March, 2003, making Northwest debaters international champions. Northwest debaters have competed at the Great Alaska Speakout in 1998, 2000 and 2002. This tournament seeks to bring together the top ten teams in the nation for a round robin at the University of Alaska, Anchorage in September. Jon King and Troy Henley won third place at the Speakout this fall.
In March of 2000, one student, James Stewart, was chosen to represent the United States in a series of debates in Europe. After a cross country search and three day try out in New York City, Stewart was one of two in the nation chosen for the trip. Northwest debaters have competed at tournaments internationally, including the World Universities Debating Championships in Athens, Sydney and Glasgow. In Athens, James Stewart was the only American to make finals in public speaking -- traditionally those who place in this event are considered the best speakers in the world. At the England and Wales National tournament in London in 2000, Stewart and his partner qualified for finals after defeating all six teams from Oxford University.
Northwest debaters have taken top awards, including first place in 2000, at the University of British Columbia for the last several years. This tournament brings together the top debate teams from Canada. Gillespie designed the communication major in 2000, putting together an organizational communication concentration with a drama concentration. The communication major quickly became the largest major in the division of humanities with 58 students in both concentrations. A media studies program is being proposed. Gillespie's press releases on the success of the debate team has generated more publicity for the college than any other activity or department -- more than 30 newspaper reports in seven newspapers (including King County Journal, Seattle Times, Seattle P.I, Vancouver Sun, Anchorage Daily News, Longview Daily News, Kirkland Courier) and two local television newscasts. Northwest debaters have appeared in the Pentecostal Evangel, AG News on Line and the Associated Press.
Gillespie was elected by his peers the Northwest Representative for the National Parliamentary Debate Association. He is the 2003 recipient of the Northwest College President's Award for Service to the college. He lives with his wife, Teresa, a political science and business law professor, in Kirkland. Personal interests include gardening, cooking, wilderness backpacking, trout fishing, weight lifting and fitness.
Recommended Reading:
Language as Symbolic Action, Kenneth Burke
When Character was King, a Story of Ronald Reagan, Peggy Noonan
Sophie's World, Jostein Gaarder
The Presence of the Kingdon, Jacquess Elluel
The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrick Bonneffer
Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman
Darwin on Trial, Phillip Johnson
Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life, Henri Nouwen
Lime Five: Exploited by Choice, Mark Crutcher
Body for Life, Bill Phillips
The Road Less Traveled, M.Scott Peck
Love is Stronger than Death, Peter Kreeft
Strength to Love, Martin Luther King
A Mind Awake: An Anthology of C. S. Lewis, C.S. Lewis