www.speechanddebate.org
Harold Keller Public Service Leadership Award Steven E. Grubbs was presented with the Harold Keller Public Service Leadership Award at the 2014 National Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas. The honor, named for longtime Hall of Fame coach Harold C. Keller, recognizes former Congressional Debate participants who have made significant contributions to their community, state, or nation through public service leadership. Mr. Grubbs competed in the National Senate in 1982, earning election as a presiding officer. He went on to earn degrees in law and finance from the University of Iowa. While earning his juris doctorate, Grubbs was elected a representative to the Iowa State Legislature. After serving three terms, Grubbs was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, and later formed Victory Enterprises, Inc., a
company that provides political and corporate consulting and communications, including such innovative services as mobile app development, social media management, and opinion research. He gives generously of his time and funds to support speech and debate at both the middle and high school levels. In addition to assisting at his alma mater, Davenport West, he helped start a program at Davenport Assumption, which is now a charter chapter in the National Speech & Debate Association. According to Joe Rankin, Grubbs “is a full-time business owner who opens his workplace Sunday nights to coach students.” He also connects students to realworld political internships to apply what they’ve learned in debate.
2014 Keller Award honoree, Steven E. Grubbs, spoke Thursday evening during the Congressional Debate Banquet, sponsored by the Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership.
Senator John C. Stennis Congressional Debate–House
Senator John C. Stennis Congressional Debate–Senate
Outstanding Representative
Outstanding Senator
Abigail Marone Notre Dame High School, PA Coached by: Kimberly Marone and Sal Rizzo (not pictured)
Will Mascaro Hawken School, OH Coached by: Robert H. Shurtz
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