11600 Columbia College Drive · Sonora, California 95370

Public Information Office: 209.588.5361 · Fax 209.588.5367

NEWS RELEASE

-- For Immediate Release --

Date: November 5, 2007

Contact: Doug Lau, Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Dr. Tim Elizondo named New Forensics Coach of the Year

Dr. Tim Elizondo, a Columbia College speech professor, was recently recognized as the New Coach of the Year by the Northern California Forensics Association. According to the association, “Other instructors-coaches have watched as Columbia College’s debaters have risen from good novice level students to excellent varsity level debaters, and have had success against both two and four year institutions.”

Dr. Elizondo was state champion in forensics in 1994 while attending Modesto Junior College where he received an A.A. degree in liberal studies. His other degrees include a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in rhetoric, both from Arizona State University. He completed a doctorate in American cultural studies from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

His students have won multiple awards with successes on state and national levels, as well as at regional tournaments. Last month, the Columbia College team took first place honors at the Kevin Towhy Memorial Speech and Debate Tournament at Concord. During the weekend event, three Columbia teams were entered and achieved an impressive record of 15 wins and three losses in the preliminary rounds.

Trevor Wittke of Mokelumne Hill and Zach Macbeth of Encinitas were named tournament champions in the open/varsity division by defeating rival City College of San Francisco. Their topic was whether or not the United States should ratify the United Nation’s Law of the Sea Treaty.

Cody Cooper of Soulsbyville won the top award for being the best speaker of the tournament and Taureanna Shimp of Coulterville earned second place honors. Together, they were undefeated in the preliminary rounds and outperformed teams from UC Davis, Santa Clara University, Bethany College, Cal Lutheran, and Modesto Junior College.

Ryan Downey of Sonora and Katie Kelly of Murphys navigated their way to the quarterfinals of the novice division.

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News Release No. 070-07

November 5, 2007

For Immediate Release

Attachment: Photo of Dr. Tim Elizondo