DePauw's Debate Team Ranked #1 in State, Among Nation's Best

October 24, 2003

October 24, 2003, Greencastle, Ind. - “This is simply the best showing by DePauw debaters in over 20 years, and it is our best showing ever in parliamentary debate," says Geoff Klinger, assistant professor of communication arts and sciences and director of forensics at DePauw. At a tournament at Ball State University last weekend, DePauw's debaters advanced to the final round, dropping a close and highly contested round to the top team in the nation from the University of South Carolina. The performance by senior Erich Taylor and sophomore J.J. Burns marks the second time they have been in the final round this season and both now rank among the nation's top ten debaters. All three teams from DePauw advanced into the elimination octafinal round.

“We are currently the top team in Indiana, outdistancing teams from Notre Dame, Indiana, Purdue, Ball State, and Wabash, and we are currently one of the top three private liberal arts colleges in the nation in parliamentary debate," says Dr. Klinger, a 1988 graduate of DePauw. Indeed, DePauw defeated teams from much larger schools this past weekend, including Notre Dame, Purdue, Arkansas State, and South Carolina. “This demonstrates that DePauw's students are among the most intelligent and articulate in the nation,” Klinger observed.

DePauw's next test will come against Wabash College in the historic Monon Bell Debate, which will be held in Greencastle this year. About this debate, Professor Klinger notes, “Wabash always has a good showing at these debates with almost 100 students making the trip; it is critically important that DePauw supports its team at this debate, especially given our recent success.”

To get involved with DePauw's forensic teams, which are open to all, interested students should contact Geoff Klinger by sending an e-mail here.

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