Franklin Debating Society Defeats British

Bobby Thomas '11 faced off against the British debaters.

The parliamentary-style debate was well-attended.

Randolph-Macon College’s Franklin Debating Society hosted the touring champion British debaters on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in the Washington Room.

R-MC students Becky Johnsen ’10 and Bobby Thomas ’11 faced off against the world-famous British debaters on the topic Be it resolved that women in the developed world have achieved full equality. The topic was chosen so that students could segue into guest-lecturer Dr. Maxine Margolis’ talk on women’s changing roles in the U.S., which began at 7:00 p.m. in the Washington Room.

The annual Parliamentary-style debate was an entertaining and provocative event, and audience participation was encouraged. By audience vote, the R-MC team defeated the British, although good arguments were made by all.

R-MC's Phi Beta Kappa chapter and its  benefactors, Anita S. and John B. Werner ’53, once again generously supported the British debaters’ visit to Randolph-Macon College.

R-MC Professor Ted Sheckels, Ph.D., the A.G. Ingram Professor of English, coaches the R-MC Franklin Debating Society students. Sheckels is a communications studies and English professor and the director of speaking for the Higgins Academic Center. Professor Sheckels is assisted by part-time communication studies instructor John Mingus.