Beth Campbell and Dan Jacobs enter the MSCI Hall of Fame

Above: Hall of Fame inductee Dan Jacobs (left) at the Grand Hotel.

MSCI is tremendously excited to honor the newest inductees to the Hall of Fame. These two coaches are important not only to this organization, but to all students in the State of Michigan who take part in speech activities.

Beth Campbell

Beth Campbell with her Hall of Fame plaque.

Beth Campbell is a teacher, advisor, director, and coach at Alma High School in Alma, Michigan. Beth was the theater director/advisor for 21 years, and has coached Individual Events for 19 years. The IE team has won over 50 team trophies - earned when a team finishes in the top three at a tournament - 3 Tri-Valley Conference championships, and has had over 20 state semifinalists and six state finalists. She has also served her community as Forensic/Drama, Spanish, and Humanities teacher, the Alma Education Association President, the Pine River Arts Council President, and the Lucky MacDuck Day Coordinator.

When talking about her induction Mrs. Campbell stated, “this recognition was a complete shock to me. When he (President Doug Bevier) told me I had been nominated and selected for the Hall of Fame, I couldn’t even speak for a minute. I said, ‘But Doug, I run such a tiny program!’ His response was that sometimes it is tougher to keep a smaller program running, particularly for so long. Bigger teams in more urban areas have alumni to help with funding, siblings who compete and will encourage others to do so, even private performance classes and more advanced speech programs. Another coach said to me last weekend that it’s the coaches who show up every day and just keep doing the job who are the heroes. I don’t necessarily feel that way about myself, but I can accept that I have worked hard and had some success in my tenure as a coach.”

She went on to say that “speech activities offer students a unique opportunity that builds critical skills for their present and future. Students learn how to see multiple points of view, how to determine the credibility of information, and how to speak their opinions with integrity, confidence, and kindness. These skills have become more and more rare, and for students who have spent countless hours interacting with a screen, it is vital that they learn to look at other human beings and converse effectively. Sports and other academic clubs provide some, but not all, of these merits. I am so proud to be part of a professional community of teachers and other speech coaches who care so deeply about helping young adults find their authentic voice and a forum for expression. The affirmation and acceptance they find in forensics changes--and saves--lives.”

Dan Jacobs

Dan Jacobs is a teacher and coach at The Roeper School in Birmingham, MI. This year marks Mr. Jacobs’ 30th year of coaching. He began as an assistant coach in Plymouth for two years. Jacobs then worked at Seaholm High School for three years before moving to The Roeper School, where he has held his position for the last 25 years.

When talking about his induction Mr. Jacobs stated that “my friends and peers in forensics have always felt like a home to me. Having some time to reflect with them on the time and mutual experiences leading up to this recognition has given me a solid touchstone for everything we’ve created together in over 30 years of providing spaces where kids’ voices can be heard. It’s rewarding to watch some of these folks grow from 11-year-olds into coaches in their own right -- and to feel the growth inside myself from being immersed in a seemingly endless process of creativity and discovery.” He went on to say, “forensics and debate give students the ideal low-stakes spaces for trying on a variety of viewpoints and exploring different ways to articulate what they’re most passionate about. I have yet to find a better venue for inspiring self-motivated learning where students feel the intrinsic value of critical thinking and self-expression.”

Originally published in the MSCI Year in Review, August 2022.