British Win Lively Debate

James Murray '09 argues his side during   debate at R-MC

The world-famous British debaters came to Randolph-Macon College on November 18, 2008 to face off against R-MC’s Franklin Debating Society. The debate, based on the recent U.S. Presidential election, began at 7:30 p.m. in Washington-Franklin Hall with the British supporting the side of “You Yanks Just Blew It Again!” At the end of the evening, the British were declared the winners.

The British team was sponsored by the National Communication Association. The team consisted of two members who tour the United States from September through November to showcase international debating. In 2007, the British team was hosted by 40 schools in the U.S. and is quite famous for winning most of their deliberations. They took the win, by popular audience vote, over Randolph-Macon College in last year’s debate spotlighting views on negotiations in terrorism.

As in the past, the British and R-MC teams were thoroughly prepared for the debate and the occasion was quite engaging. A packed house and Parliamentary-style debating made for a lively performance, and audience members participated during the entertaining event. At the conclusion of the debate, the audience voted for the winner.

The Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa sponsored this year's visit at R-MC with funding by The Werner Phi Beta Kappa Fund, which was endowed by Anita S. and John B. Werner '53 to support and expand the programs of the Zeta Chapter.