R-MC Washington-Franklin Debates

The Washington-Franklin Debates are an annual event.

The 9^th annual Washington-Franklin Collegiate Challenge Cup Debates will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2009 in Washington-Franklin Hall. Preliminary debates are scheduled at 4:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., with the final debate scheduled for 8:00 p.m. The Randolph-Macon community and general public are invited to attend this free event.

This year’s debate subject is Be it Resolved That President Barack Obama’s First 100 Days—Okay, 87—Have Been Successful. Schools participating in the event are Randolph-Macon College, Wake Forest University, U.S. Military Academy at West Point and University of Richmond. Catherine Noyes ’09 and James Murray ’09 will represent R-MC at the debates.

Catherine Noyes is a biology, economics/business and environmental studies major with minors in journalism and ethics. She was selected as the best debater in the 2009 Collegiate Forensics Association’s Winter Tournament, which was held in Montreal in January.

James Murray is a drama and English major, with a minor in music. He was selected third-best debater in the 2009 Collegiate Forensics Association’s Winter Tournament in Montreal, which was held in January.

The topic for the Washington-Franklin Collegiate Cup is announced to participants two weeks before the debates, permitting some—but not extensive—research. Participants are expected to adapt their argumentation and delivery to a public forum. Audience participation is encouraged during the debates.

Randolph-Macon College Professor Ted Sheckels, Ph.D. and Professor John Mingus coach the Washington-Franklin debaters. Sheckels is a communications studies and English professor and the director of speaking for the Higgins Academic Center. He is also the A.G. Ingram Professor of English. Mingus teaches communication studies at R-MC and is the coordinator of special events for the college.