Elizabeth Roberts Norwood – Speech Education, 1956

Elizabeth (Beth) Roberts Norwood
1956

                I am contributing my memories of an outstanding professor who was chairman of the Speech Department and Debate Coach at L for decades.  That jolly professor with a twinkle in his Irish eyes was Roy Murphy, affectionately known to all of us as “Prof.”  For the four years that I focused on my BA in Speech, Prof served as my advisor, debate coach and “trusted substitute Dad.”  We also traveled extensively with other SLI debaters to tournaments in many cities and states.

                We all knew we couldn’t “sneak out” at night on these debate trips, as Prof called our rooms every evening to make certain we were all in our rooms and retiring early.  We especially enjoyed Prof’s great endurance of out practical jokes.  When we took public bus transportation or passed the cashier at a restaurant, every one of us in turn would say “Daddy is paying.  He will be here shortly.”  After hearing these words repeated by sometimes as many as 10 or 12 of us, a red-faced but grinning Prof Murphy would step up to pick up the tab.  We knew he was enjoying every minute of our “naughty behavior!”

                Roy Murphy coached winning SLI debate teams for years, and he was respected nationwide for his expertise.  I was fortunate enough to be one of four debaters to be taken by Prof Murphy to participate in the national Pi Kappa Delta debate tournament in Redlands, CA.  The other three debaters who were on the Southern Pacific journey across the country with Prof were Bea Yeabeck, Nathan Stansbury, and Carl Cavanaugh.  Needless to say, it was a fantastic experience for all of us!  We played Hearts on the train across the country.

I must relate one unforgettable experience that occurred during this journey to California.  We visited the Grand Canyon on the way home–just a small jaunt off our path!  However, on the way back from the Canyon, we had to make connections in a very old railroad station in Williams, Arizona–in the middle of the night!  Guess who said, “Each of you take a bench–sleep, and I will stay awake and wait for the train.”  He did, and he awakened each of us to continue our journey home.

Have you any doubt now why I contributed to the book of memories experiences with “my favorite mentor”?  Prof Roy Murphy–now deceased.  But I know his spirit lives on in all of us today.  I am privileged to have known him and to have experienced his guidance.

–Elizabeth (Beth) Roberts Norwood