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Ben Voth
Director of Debate & Speech and Professor of Rhetoric in Dedman College at Southern Methodist University
Ben Voth is a prominent figure in the field of debate and rhetoric, currently serving as the Calvin Coolidge Debate Fellow at the CALVIN COOLIDGE PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION INC, a position he has held since October 2013.12
Professional Background
Dr. Voth is a Professor of Rhetoric and the Director of Debate and Speech programs at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas.13 He has been in this role since August 2008, where he recruits and coaches students in debate, as well as conducts public debates to promote civil discourse on controversial topics.1
Academic Career
Prior to his tenure at SMU, Dr. Voth spent 14 years (1994-2008) as a professor at Miami University, where he served as the Director of Forensics, overseeing speech and debate competitions.1
Education
Dr. Voth holds a PhD in Communication Study from The University of Kansas, which he obtained between 1990 and 1994. During his time there, he coached the Kansas debate team to the semi-finals of the National Debate Tournament in 1994.1 He also earned both his BA and MA in Communication and Journalism from Baylor University between 1985 and 1990.1
Expertise and Specialties
Dr. Voth's areas of expertise include:
- Public speaking consultation
- Argumentation analysis
- Political editorial writing and opinion pieces
- Public speaking
His personal academic passion is to equip individuals to have their voice heard effectively.1
Role at the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation
As the Debate Fellow at the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, Dr. Voth advises and helps direct the Foundation's various debate initiatives.2 This role aligns with his extensive experience in debate and public speaking, contributing to the Foundation's mission of promoting civil discourse and effective communication.
