Gina Jensen Inducted into National Forensic and Debate Hall of Fame

Gina Jensen, director of Webster University’s forensic and debate program and an adjunct professor in the School of Communications, was inducted into the Pi Kappa Delta Hall of Fame. The ceremony and induction was part of this year’s national tournament and convention hosted by the University of Central Florida, earlier this month. Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) is the nation’s oldest forensic and debate honor society, and the largest on the collegiate level. Jensen is one of only 45 members of the Hall of Fame, and is the fourth person to be inducted while still actively coaching.

A reception for Jensen’s induction will be held on Monday, April 11, from 3-4:30 p.m. CT in Sverdrup Building’s East Lobby. All are welcome to attend.

“Gina helps others to see what is possible by the values that she instills in her team and in this organization," said Pi Kappa Delta Historian Susan Millsap, in her induction speech. "One of the most important qualities that Gina Jensen exudes is her collegiality. Many of her nominators mention her support for her fellow colleagues in the field of forensics. She is supportive when called for and is constructively helpful when that is needed. She always speaks her mind but never to the point of offense. This has been extremely helpful at times on the National Council.”

Millsap also quoted a student letter from the nominations: “When considering the biggest way in which she mentored me, I believe it was in expanding my value system. Specifically, she taught me to value interpersonal relationships, how to care for them, how to invest in them, and how to benefit from them. Outside anyone in my immediate family, no one has had more of a lasting impact on my core belief system, and the ethos I operate from, in all aspects of my life.”

Jensen has served in a number of leadership and service roles during her 25 years as a professional forensic coach and educator. She served for 10 years as a member of the national council, two of those as National President. She has also served as National Tournament Director and a member of the national tournament management staff for 20 years. Jensen was also host for two national convention/tournaments and three national tournaments.

Perhaps most impressive was her 2013 dual role of National President and Host for PKD’s centennial convention and tournament. No PKD member has hosted more national events than Jensen and Webster University. Most recently, Jensen was convention coordinator for the 2022 National Convention and Tournament, and has been nominated as the organization’s next Historian. Jensen has also served as a review editor for PKD’s scholarly journal, The Forensic, and has presented and published several papers as part of national PKD panels and in the journal.

Jensen’s leadership and service have earned her several Presidential Service Awards, as well as the Bob R. Derryberry Outstanding Young Forensic Educator Award, and the John Shields Outstanding Service Award. While establishing a consistent presence within PKD’s leadership, Jensen’s Hall of Fame honor also reflects her success as a forensic coach and educator. She has helped students earn over 30 national championships and nine PKD All-American awards in her time at Webster University. She has also been recognized by other professional associations with awards for her outstanding leadership and teaching, including Webster’s top teaching award, the William Kemper Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Jensen is the second Webster University forensic educator to be inducted into the PKD Hall of Fame. She joins her husband, Scott, making them the only married couple in this elite group. Webster is one of only five schools to have multiple forensic educators inducted into the Hall of Fame.