Speaking Center Director & Staff

Dr. Esther Lee Yook, Speaking Center Director

Esther received a doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota's department of Speech Communication with an emphasis on Communication Theory. She has two Master degrees, one in Simultaneous Language Interpretation (Korean, English, French) and the other in Speech Communication. She received a national scholarship to study as a graduate student at Sorbonne University, Paris 1980-1982. She has been teaching for twenty two years in Korea, France, and the U.S. and has enjoyed it immensely. Here at Mary Washington she especially enjoys interacting with the Speaking Center consultants and preparing them for their duties at the Center. Her research interests are on topics related to intercultural and instructional communication, including, A Guide for ESL Students in the Basic Communication Course, and a Guide for Instructors of the Basic Communication Course, published by Wadsworth Publishing Company in 2001. Esther is currently President of the National Association of Communication Centers (NACC).

Here are our consultants:

Maliha Adams

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Amanda Gardner

Amanda Gardner is a junior and International Affairs major at Mary   Washington. She is a member of UMW's policy debate team and plans on   going to law school in the near future. This is her first full year   here at the Speaking Center. She is a vegetarian who enjoys the   study of language, politics, and Taco Bell.

Danielle Deville

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Alyssa Davis

Eric Halsey (studying abroad)

Hi, my name is Eric Halsey and I am a Sophomore Political Science and History major. At this point I’ve been debate in almost every form imaginable for four years, been captain of teams and since graduating done some coaching a judging when possible. I have a passion for politics, debate and public speaking in general that has led me to the speaking center. I hope I can help other students improve their lives (and grades) through better communication skills just as I did my own.

Kevin Kallmyer

Kevin Kallmyer is a freshman at Mary Washington. When he isn't in the speaking center, he enjoys jamming out to funky beats, and traveling the world with the Mary Washington debate team. He is undecided about what to major in, but is considering political science, philosophy, and lion training. As this is his first year at the Speaking Center, he is excited and ready to help Mary Washington overcome its struggle with ill-used rhetorical devices.

Rachel McGuirk

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David Moore

Elizabeth Ramsey

Hi, I'm Elizabeth Ramsey and I'm a junior at Mary Washington. I am involved with the Computer Science department and am a member the newcampus club, PERL, which is designed to the promotion of more women inthe field of computers.  I am excited to become a member of the UMWSpeaking center, and hope to help a lot of people here.

Ben Saunders

Benjamin Saunders is an undeclared sophomore from Blacksburg,  Virginia. His interests include drumming and interpretive dance (liturgical style welcome!) and is a member of the UMW policy debate  team. He is the middle child in a family with four sisters, so don't  be so ridiculous the next time you think he's kind of effeminate. What  else was he supposed to do? His sisters wouldn't even let him play  with ninja turtles unless it was some kind of interspecies wedding  with their barbies.

Manda Simmons