WFU invites public to debate Sept. 11 issues at National Debate-In

The event takes place on the second day of the nation’s largest collegiate debate tournament, the Franklin R. Shirley Dixie Classic, hosted by Wake Forest. More than 170 debate teams from 75 colleges and universities around the country will be on campus for the three-day tournament. Tournament organizers are giving up one day of competition to host the National Debate-In for the public.

“The nature of debate is to carefully compare and evaluate ideas,” said Ross Smith, coach of Wake Forest’s debate team. “This event will give the public the opportunity to share their ideas and hear the ideas of others in an environment where no idea is wrong.”

Community members will have more than 25 debate topics from which to choose, including U.S. foreign policy, military responses, feminists’ reactions, religious perceptions, assassination, and hip-hop music’s role in terrorism. Collegiate debaters and coaches representing both sides of each issue will start each debate. Each debate format will provide an opportunity for audience participation and comment.

A complete program of debate topics and their locations can be found at the National Debate-In link at www.wfu.edu/~debate. A full program will also be available in the lobby of Carswell Hall on the day of event.

After the debates, a reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. for the public and all participants on the Magnolia Patio of Reynolda Hall.

The National Debate-In is part of the university’s student-initiated Year of Unity and Hope: Pro Humanitate at Work, a series of educational and service opportunities that relate to the war on terrorism.

For more information, contact Allan Louden, director of the Wake Forest debate program, at 336-758-5408.