Joining Emory Debate

Info

The Barkley Forum welcomes any enrolled undergraduate student in good academic standing as an active participant in Emory debate. You may choose to compete in intercollegiate debate tournaments, work with many of our community service projects or become involved in on-campus activities.

Competitive Debating

All Emory students, regardless of prior experience, are welcome to join the competitive debate team at Emory University. Traveling and representing Emory University in intercollegiate competition is a unique opportunity to learn the fundamental skills of academic debate: argumentation, research, organization, and public presentation.

To be active member of intercollegiate debate you must:

› Be an enrolled undergraduate in good standing.

› Be willing to commit to service projects of the organization such as participation in community debate programs in Atlanta.

› Assist with hosting the annual Barkley Forum for High Schools, one of the nation's most prestigious Speech and Debate tournaments for high school students.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a part of academic debate at Emory University, please contact Bill Newnam, Associate Director of Forensics at wnewnam@emory.edu.

Community Service Projects

Undergraduates, graduate students, and other members of the community are welcome to volunteer their time teaching debate, public speaking, and academic skills to middle and secondary school students throughout the metro-Atlanta area. The Barkley Forum has helped to establish, maintain and support three distinct programs bringing the skills and benefits of academic debate to members of the Atlanta community who have been underserved in the past.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities please click here.

Scholarships

The Scholars Program of Emory University offers a four year renewable merit scholarship for one incoming first year student, the Alben W. Barkley Merit Scholarship.

The scholarship is named after former United States Vice-President and Emory debate alumnus Alben W. Barkley. Applicants must be accepted through the Emory admissions process, demonstrate superior academic achievement, and interscholastic debate excellence to be eligible for consideration.

For further information about the Alben W. Barkley Merit Scholarship, visit Alben W. Barkley Merit Scholarship. For further questions, contact Bill Newnam at wnewnam@emory.edu.

If you wish to apply for the Alben W. Barkley Merit Scholarship, download the application, complete all the information and return to wnewnam@emory.edu. You can access the application here: Merit%20Scholarship%20Application%2012-13

Other academic and merit based scholarships are available through the Emory Scholars Program. Many members of the Barkley Forum have received such scholarships in the past, and those awards are determined solely by the Admissions Office and the Deans of Emory College. Learn more about Emory Scholarship opportunities by visiting Emory Merit Scholarships.

Previous and Current Barkley Scholars