Debaters and coaches discuss the new debate topic at the August 2011 Debate Retreat.

Debate at Emory Today

From the campus debates between the 19th century literary societies to the intercollegiate competition of today, Emory debate has continued to evolve and progress with the society in which we live.

Student Officers

Below are the Barkley Forum's 2011-2012 elected student officers.

President - Erin Collins, '12

Erin Collins is a senior from Edmond North High School in Edmond, Oklahoma. She is a Philosophy and African Studies double major. She has reached the elimination rounds of CEDA Nationals in 2009, 2010 and 2011. In the summer of 2009 Erin taught conversational English to Tunisian students for the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education.

Vice-President -Megan Cambre, '14

Megan Cambre is a sophomore and graduate of Chattahoochee High School in Alpharetta, Georgia. Megan is a Political Science major.  She reached the octafinal round of CEDA Nationals as a first year student and won the Freshman-Sophomore National Tournament at Michigan State University in 2011. 

Secretary - Matthew Pesce, '14

Matthew Pesce is a sophomore and a graduate of Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia. Matthew is a Political Science major.  He strives to set a World Record for eating the most popsicles in one hour.  He reached the octafinal round of CEDA Nationals and won the Freshman Sophomore National Tournament at Michigan State University in 2011.  Matthew also won the Dolores P. Aldridge Award for Community Service for his contributions to the Atlanta Urban Debate League.

Emory debaters researching at the 2011 debate retreat.

 

Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha

President - Jessica Moore, '12

Jessica is a senior and a graduate of Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs, Florida. Jessica is an Economics and Mathematics.  She has reached the elimination rounds of CEDA Nationals in 2009 and 2011.  Jessica also received the Dolores P. Aldridge Award for her work with the Atlanta Urban Debate League.

 

Vice-President -Anuj Panday, '12

Anuj Panday is a senior and a graduate of Chattahoochee High School in Alpharetta, Georgia.  Anuj reached the elimination rounds of CEDA Nationals in 2009 and 2011.  He is majoring in International Studies and History. He has been the captain of the BF Ballers intramural basketball team the last two years.

 

Secretary -Marta Chlistunoff, '12

Marta is a third year senior and a graduate of Westwood High School in Austin, Texas. Marta reached the elimination rounds of CEDA Nationals in 2011. She is majoring in Chemistry with the intention of becoming a Patent Attorney.

 

Policy debate

Emory participates in two-person policy debate. A debate resolution is voted on and selected by the entire debate community before the season begins. Other colleges and universities host tournaments that are attended by many different universities from around the country. Debaters compete at tournaments with six to eight rounds of preliminary competition debating both sides of the question. Teams who perform well during the preliminary rounds can debate in up to three to six single elimination rounds depending on the size of the tournament. Emory attends tournaments sponsored by the National Debate Tournament, the Cross Examination Debate Association, and the American Debate Association.

A Successful program

As debate has evolved over the years, debate at Emory has become increasingly successful. By any measure, the Barkley Forum is one of the finest debate teams in the nation.

*Participation. Over 100 Emory students participate in various Forum outreach and intercollegiate debate activities. Out of 40 tournament debaters, more than twenty-five participated in at least one varsity elimination round.

*Academic Success. Boasting some of the finest academic records at Emory, debaters are regularly admitted into the finest graduate and professional schools in the nation.

*Competitive Success. More than twenty different members of the Barkley Forum have won more than ten national championships since 1995.

*Community Service. The Barkley Forum for High Schools, the Emory National Debate Institute, the Urban Debate League, coaching internships, public performance, and political debate commentary are all elements of a multi-faceted forensic and academic service organization.

More than a debate team

Barkley Forum membership includes other benefits beyond opportunity for personal achievement in debate. The Barkley Forum also provides

*extensive academic counseling

*volunteer internships with local interscholastic debate programs

*academic internships through Emory's Division of Educational Studies for a variety of research and teaching experiences

*opportunities to work with Barkley Forum alumni in law, business, and government internships

*the opportunity to assist with the Urban Debate League, the Emory National Debate Institute, and the Barkley Forum for High Schools, garnering valuable teaching, administrative, and supervisory experience. If you are interested in joining this dynamic organization with rich traditions please click here.