The is looking to build on its successes of the past year as a new semester of competition approaches.
Following the 2008-09 academic year, the Debate Society received the Debate Program of the Year award from the Society Advocating More and Better Argumentation.
The award is given annually to the college debate team that 鈥渂est illustrates the qualities associated with the founding ideals of the organization鈥: winning with grace, losing with class, and demonstrating concern for bringing the community together, even under the pressure of competition.
After the 2009 World Universities Debate Championships in Cork, Ireland, the 冈本视频 team was ranked 16th in the world, up from 63rd last year.
Beating out teams such as Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford, 冈本视频 is ranked third among U.S. colleges. The rankings are based on total point accumulations for the past five years of competition in the world championships.
As a conclusion to the academic year, society members gathered in Donovan鈥檚 Pub for the championship round of their annual intramural debate tournament called the Class of 1884 President鈥檚 Cup.
Austin Schwartz 鈥11 and Henrik Temp 鈥11 came in first place and split the $500 prize. Coming in third, Steve West 鈥09 won the tournament鈥檚 Top Speaker Award and the Class of 1884 Award, which honors the top senior debater for excellence in debate, judging, and mentoring during the course of his or her participation in the society.
鈥淚鈥檓 already looking forward to fall and our continuing adventures,鈥 said team coordinator John Adams. 鈥淭heir dedication to the pursuit of debate is inspiring.鈥