Scott Jensen Inducted into State Association Hall of Fame

Scott Jensen, Professor of Sports Communication, was inducted into the Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri (STAM) Hall of Fame as part of their fall 2026 conference. Hall of Fame consideration requires a member to be retired from full-tine teaching or a member of the association for at least 25 years. Additionally, the candidate needs to have served STAM in exemplary ways, as well as have a career of distinction in speech and theatre education. Jensen is the 36th member of the Hall of Fame. He was recognized for his 33 years of service as president, editor, executive secretary, and a member of the Board of Governors. His record of publishing in the association's refereed journal and presenting top programs as their annual conference were also noted as part of his induction.

Gina Jensen, Director of Forensics at Webster and Editor of the Journal of the Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri, delivered Jensen’s speech of induction. She is also a long-time member and officer of STAM. His sons presented Jensen with his Hall of Fame plaque. She noted, “Scott has served STAM for nearly as long as he has been a member and as long as I have known him. No one deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame more than he does. It was an honor to be there as the entire membership congratulated him..”

Jensen is the first member to be inducted into the Hall of Fame while still teaching full-time. “It was an honor of a lifetime,” Jensen reflected. “STAM was the association that motivated me to be an educator and taught me the importance of service as part of a career in education. I found my role models for quality teaching and service in STAM. That makes this honor humbling and meaningful.” This is Jensen’s second Hall of Fame membership. He was inducted into the Pi Kappa Delta Hall of Fame in 2015. Pi Kappa Delta is the nation’s oldest and largest collegiate forensic and debate honor society. Gina Jensen was inducted into that same Hall of Fame in 2022, making them the only married couple in that group.

Jensen has been a member of STAM for more than 40 years and currently serves as Executive Secretary. The Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri was founded in 1932. Their annual conference was held at Tan-Tar-A Resort September 17-19 in Osage Beach.