The service was well attended with perhaps 60 people including current and retired faculty, executive staff, alumni, students and friends. Dr. Calgaard spoke of the process of establishing the debate program at Trinity and talked about the impact that Professor Harrison had in building the program. He reflected a bit on his own debate experience and how it paled in comparison to Frank’s accomplishments in debate at the national level. He spoke of Frank with great admiration and warmth.

Dr. Brooks Hill spoke more about Frank’s work building the debate program, Frank’s distaste for administrative paperwork, and his idiosyncratic habits about food. Brooks talked about what a wonderful colleague Frank was and how candid Frank was when applying for the position at Trinity given his J.D. degree rather than a doctor of philosophy degree and his career in the law and as a Congressman rather than an academic career. He, too, remembered Frank with great fondness and admiration.

Jamie Downing spoke about how Frank inspired her and challenged her as a student. She spoke about his role as a teacher, coach and friend. She told a story about attending a professional meeting or tournament with Frank in New Haven, CT; during the summer of 2008 (I think that is the right timing). They went to a dock and watched sail boats coming in and out of the harbor. Suddenly, there was one sailboat coming into the harbor with red sails. Frank called Jamie’s attention to the red sails saying he had never seen red sails before and how unique the sails were. Jamie compared Frank Harrison to the red sails since he was such a unique person.

I don’t know how Jamie got through her remarks without choking up. Dr. Calgaard, Dr. Hill and Jamie all came near to choking up, but held their voices strong.
The Speech & Drama faculty and staff along with the Calgaards, Marc Raney, most of the alumni, current students and me walked over to the reception. I think there were at least 40 folks at the reception. The food was beautifully set-up and presented—crudités and dip, a cheese tray with crackers, broiled asparagus wrapped in pastry, goat cheese and tomato brochettes, artichoke dip, and open bar with beer, wine, and soft drinks and water—as well as delicious. Jamie talked about the naming of the debate squad room being named for Frank and displayed the plaque for everyone to view. She also mentioned the fund that was planned for debate and named for Frank. Four or more alumni stepped forward and shared stories about Frank with the group. These stories focused on some or the funny things that occurred during a debate tournament or around ordering food at a restaurant or Frank’s advice about developing an argument. All the stories were shared with great humor, warmth and respect for Frank. Toward the end of the stories, Jarrod invited everyone up to the debate squad room where the plaque will be hung.

Although the reception group made a dent in the food there were leftovers and Jarrod and Brooks encouraged the current students to consolidate the trays and take it back to the residence halls. The only item left was the artichoke dip and the bar supplies. Everyone enjoyed the food and stories at the reception and I’m sure more than a 100 students enjoyed the leftovers later that evening.

All the best,

Kris

Kristine Nelson Howland
Assistant Director
University Advancement
Trinity University