JOHNSON CITY – For the students involved in East Tennessee State University’s Mock Trial team, the experiences and hands-on learning opportunities are immense.
“It has been more than I could ever imagine,” said team member Caleb Vaughn, a political science and theater and dance major.
ETSU’s Mock Trial team – formed only a year ago – is already receiving national attention.
The group won the Spirit of American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) Award, an accolade
given to the team that best exemplifies the ideals of college mock trial, including
civility, fairness and professionalism, at an AMTA regional tournament in Dayton,
Ohio.
It was the team’s first tournament since forming in 2022.
“I know firsthand the benefits of mock trial for students,” said Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle,
ETSU provost and senior vice president for Academics and a former mock trial coach.
“It is obviously a great preparation for students who want to go to law school, but
mock trial helps prepare students in so many other ways, too.”
Such training and competition help students hone their communication skills and sharpen
critical thinking, as well as afford them the ability to learn how to work as a member
of a team.
For student and treasurer Jasper Budd, participation helps him practice public speaking.
“It’s an opportunity to get out and work on how to deliver my statements and get used
to talking in front of people,” he said.
Trent White, president of the team, said mock trial is “an avenue to put into practice
what we are learning in class in an actual courtroom setting.”
“We are arguing back and forth and arguing case law that we learn in class,” he said.
“It is very productive for me.”
Offering hands-on learning opportunities is at the center of ETSU’s approach to education,
helping students move from enrollment to employment.
“We are so proud of our students and all the hard work they put in,” said Lindsay
Daniel, ETSU associate counsel and one of the team’s coaches. “The skills they are
learning here will help them in so many ways, whether that is as a future attorney
or any other career.”