DePauw Debaters Second in Nation!

The DePauw Debate team ended their season on a strong note, claiming second place at the Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament held this past weekend (March 6-9) in St. Louis.  Pi Kappa Delta is the National Forensics Honorary that has recognized achievement and excellence in speech and debate for 100 years.  DePauw University sent four teams to compete in a pool representing 47 schools.  Three of those teams advanced to elimination rounds because of their outstanding record in 6 preliminary rounds.  Avery Archer and Nikki Miyasato advanced to the octafinal round, Aaron Dicker and Kevin Milne advanced to the semi-final round, and Keelin Kelly and Michael Lutz advanced to the final round before dropping to McKendree University on a 2-1 decision in a hotly contested debate.  The judge who voted for DePauw wrote on his ballot, “DePauw obviously won the debate.”

DePauw was also recognized overall with the top national sweepstakes award.  This award is given to the top DSR-TKA chapter at the tournament.  DePauw is a founding member of DSR-TKA, one of three national forensic honoraries, and Professor Emeritus of Communication Robert Weiss was President of the organization for many years.  DePauw also received the third place overall sweepstakes award in debate, as well, because of the exceptional performance of all of the teams.

DePauw Debate: Now and Then

The DePauw Debate Team enjoys a brief respite before the final round at the 2008 Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament. Bottom (left to right): Brittney Belcher, Jessica Hawkins, Kevin Milne, and Keelin Kelly. Top: Nikki Miyasato, Avery Archer, Aaron Dicker, and Michael Lutz.

 

 

The DePauw Debate Team heads for the Vandalia station in April 1897 to take the train for a debate with Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. One of the team members is historian Charles A. Beard.