Debating Society to Host Washington-Franklin Cup Debates

Debaters will argue, pro and con, on "Bet It Resolved That: Tea Parties Exhibit the True American Spirit."

For the tenth year running, Randolph-Macon College’s Franklin Debating Society will turn the clock back to the 19th Century and stage the Washington-Franklin Cup debates. The debates will take place on Monday, April 19, 2010 in the Washington and Franklin Rooms.

“’Turning the clock’ back means that we’ll have an interesting topic, an emphasis on 19th Century substance and style, and a participating audience,” says R-MC Professor Ted Sheckels, the A.G. Ingram Professor of English. Sheckels coaches the R-MC Franklin Debating Society students and is a communication studies and English professor and the director of speaking for the Higgins Academic Center. He is assisted by part-time communication studies instructor John Mingus.

This year, the debaters will argue, pro and con, on “Be It Resolved That: Tea Parties Exhibit the True American Spirit.” Four schools will debate at 4:00 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.; the two with the best preliminary record will debate at 8:00 p.m. The Parliamentary-style debate is an entertaining and provocative event, and audience participation is encouraged.

West Point will return to defend the Cup. Joining R-MC students Jonathan Schmeelk ’10 and Becky Johnsen ’10 in challenging West Point will be teams representing the College of William and Mary and Furman University.

This event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by Williams Mullen. For more information, contact Professor Ted Sheckels at (804) 752-7288 or tsheckel@rmc.edu.