Campus News
November 18, 2011
Barkley Forum continues debate success in 60th year
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Emory's Barkley Forum, one of the most competitive university debate teams in the United States. Barkley Forum debaters travel more than 6,000 miles each season to compete in 14 debate competitions nationwide.
The team finished in the final four at Appalachian State University and in 16th place at Wake Forest University in mid-November debate contests. Emory qualified four of the 136 teams that participated in the debate at Wake Forest University – the final national tournament of the semester.
More Than A Community: 60 Years of the Barkley Forum
Since its formation in the 1950s, the Barkley Forum has had a long-standing, pioneering tradition of civic involvement. Barkley Forum director Melissa Maxcy-Wade '72C-'76G-'96T-'00T began the Urban Debate Leagues in 1985 in partnership with the Atlanta Public Schools. Urban Debate Leagues are now in more than 500 high schools in 24 major cities and have served an estimated 35,000 students and teachers nationwide.
The Barkley Forum held a celebration at the Miller Ward Alumni House on Sept. 25 to commemorate 60 years of success. More than 85 Barkley Forum alumni were in attendance.
