Forensic Team Coaches

Prof. Ben Walker, Director of Forensics

Ben is an Assistant Professor for the Communication Studies program at SMSU. Before earning his MFA in Communication Studies/Forensics from MSU, Mankato, he spent time at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he received his undergraduate degree in Secondary English and Speech Education and competed for the Warhawks. Ben has coached for MSU, Mankato and Berry College before his stint with the Mustangs. An active forensic scholar, Ben also serves the forensic community as a member of the the AFA-NIET District 4 Committee. Beyond forensics, Ben supervises numerous College Now sites and teaches Essentials of Speaking and Listening as well as Oral Interpretation, Advanced Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Cross Cultural Communication, and Communication Studies Activities: Forensics.

benjamin.walker@smsu.edu

Prof. Julie Walker, Assistant Director of Forensics

Julie is an Assistant Professor for the Communication Studies program at SMSU. Before earning her MFA in Communication Studies/Forensics from MSU, Mankato, she spent time at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she received her undergraduate degree in Business Management and competed for the forensics team. Currently, Julie teaches Essentials of Speaking and Listening, Storytelling in Modern Communication, and a variety of Public Relations courses for SMSU as well as overseeing several College Now sites.

julie.walker@smsu.edu

Prof. Mark Fokken (coach emeritus)

Mark, an Associate Professor for the Communication Studies program at SMSU, served as the Director of Forensics for many years. He received his MA in Speech Communication from South Dakota State University, where he worked with the legendary forensic coach, Joel Hefling. Extremely active at SMSU, as well as in the greater forensic community (not to mention southwest Minnesota), Mark is known for his kind words, tasty baked goods, and being one of the writers for the outround postings at the AFA-NIET. He has supervised many College Now sites and taught many courses at SMSU including Essentials of Speaking and Listening, Small Group Communication, Persuasion, Organizational Communication, Speech Activities: Forensics and Senior Seminar.

mark.fokken@smsu.edu