JACKSON, Tenn. — April 6, 2018 — Union University’s debate team won the Founders Award at the International Public Debate Association Season-Long Awards last week for the fifth year in a row. The Founders Award is the highest possible award in IPDA and combines scores from all divisions and tournaments throughout the year.
Web Drake, chair of Union’s department of communication arts and director of debate, said with this win, Union is tied as the winningest school in the association. He said Union’s continued success speaks to the intelligence of its students and the academic rigor of its classrooms.
“One of our cornerstones is excellence-driven,” he said. “And this really demonstrates that we are excellent, that our students are getting an excellent education.”
Josiah McGee, a junior international relations major and team captain for the debate team, said being part of the debate team for three years has improved his writing, communication and research skills.
“Debate has taught me to think critically and quickly and communicate respectfully,” he said.
He said the environment at debate tournaments is not always friendly to Christian schools, but it has given him and his teammates an opportunity to be examples of thoughtful, respectful Christians in higher education.
“We are representing Union on the debate circuit, but our priority is representing Christ,” McGee said. “If we can show excellence and offer truth in our debates, we can have a positive testimony to those who disagree with us.”
Union competes against a wide variety of schools in IPDA, including other private and Christian schools as well as larger state universities. Drake said Union’s winning streak can be attributed to good recruiting, well-educated students and university support, but it is also due to hard work on the part of debaters.
“These kinds of skills come through repetition,” Drake said. “We do as many or more practice rounds as any team they are competing against.”
In addition to the Founders Award, Union’s debate team also won five of six tournaments this year and received several individual awards. Because of the team’s achievements, April 5, 2018 was also proclaimed Union University Debate Team Day by the City of Jackson.