Phi Rho Pi.

• Author: Fugate, Amy Lee
• Position: Special Issue: Visual Argument-Part 2

Phi Rho Pi, the only forensic honorary devoted to two-year junior and community colleges, was established in 1927 by Sylvia Mariner. For Sylvia, a community college forensics coach, and her husband "Cap" C.E. Mariner, a retired army captain, this organization became their family. Sylvia viewed all the competitors and coaches in Phi Rho Pi as her children and attended the national tournament every year until her death. At the 1971 National Tournament, a perpetual sweepstakes trophy was established named the Sylvia Mariner Sweepstakes Champion. This trophy is awarded to the college accumulating the most points at previous national tournaments and including the current nationals. It is the highest award any college can receive. As Sylvia told the 1971 participants, "Phi Rho Pi has been my whole life" (The Persuader, 1971, p. 20). The Mariner's service, love and financial endowments to the organization have allowed it to remain the organization it is today. Membership in Phi Rho Pi is open to any two-year college with a forensics program. Students also join as individual members.

In 1943, Dr. P. Merville Larson, the outgoing President of Phi Rho Pi explained the principles which govern Phi Rho Pi as follows: [1]Phi Rho Pi is organized for the development of the finest educational standards; [2]Phi Rho Pi is supported by membership fees and other moneys derived directly or indirectly from student members and as such owes those students the obligation of the greatest service possible; [3]Every member, whether student or sponsor, is entitled to a share in the government and responsibilities of the society; [4]Phi Rho Pi has the responsibility for making known the Junior College speech position to every agency or person in any way affected (The Persuader, 1970). These guiding principles continue to reflect the philosophy of the organization today.

Phi Rho Pi is governed by a President, Vice-President for Association, Vice-President for Tournament, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Comptroller. Their are nine Phi Rho Pi regions and each region elects a regional governor. The annual business meeting takes place at the national tournament. Each school has two votes, a coach vote and a student vote.

Each year, Phi Rho Pi hosts a national tournament open to all member schools. While the national tournament has no qualification requirements, many programs establish their own. The tournament is the largest national tournament offering all eleven individual...