Debate Team
Over fall break, Oct. 17th – 20th, the Fayetteville State University (FSU) Bronco Debate Team attended the Morgan State University Invitational Tournament in Baltimore, Maryland. The Broncos competed against a diverse group of teams including Florida College, Coppin State University, Bloomsburg University, and Randolph-Macon College. Jasmine McLean-Hasinger and Guy Williams, FSU debate team students, brought home individual awards and the team earned a trophy for overall team performance.
McLean-Hasigner placed second in the event of Poetry Interpretation, Williams placed sixth in Persuasive Speaking and the team earned fifth place in Sweepstakes (an award given based on the performance of the entire team).
Throughout the school year, the FSU Bronco Debate Team, led by Professor Greg Thomas, advisor to the FSU Bronco Debate Team and assistant to the chair of the Communication Department travels to various places up and down the eastern seaboard competing against a wide variety of other colleges and universities.
In reaction to the FSU Bronco Debate Team’s performance, Thomas stated, “I am very proud of the team, this was an excellent result for our first outing of the season.” He added, “Looking forward, I believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg for this team, which I believe is one of the most talented I have had in my six years here at FSU. I expect to have to clear out a lot of old trophies from our case to make room for new ones as the season goes on.”
Thomas also noted that these achievements would not have happened without the assistance of Dr. Todd Frobish, chair of FSU’s Communication Department, and Professor Phoebe Hall from the Department of Performing and Fine Arts, both of whom helped students practice their events in the weeks leading up to the tournament as well as volunteering their time during fall break to help drive the team and judge at the tournament.
The start of a new school year brings numerous exciting happenings. For some students that means new football or basketball seasons. For others it means a renewed opportunity to achieve academic goals, or maybe even that graduation is approaching. For the Fayetteville State University (FSU) Bronco Debate Team, the start of a new school year means another year of exhilarating competitions at the Collegiate Forensic Association (CFA) Tournaments, where FSU debaters are given the opportunity to spend yet another debating season bringing home trophies to fill thetrophy case located in the lobby of the Telecommunication Building.
The FSU Bronco Debate Team’s stated mission is identified as “The mission is to promote social, cultural, and economic awareness through: critical analysis and discussion, engagement in intercollegiate competition, and community service.”
The team attempts to fulfill this mission through a combination of intercollegiate competition, like the Morgan State Tournament, as well as through public debate exhibitions like the Frederick Douglass Debate Series. As a side note, Thomas also mentioned that the 4th iteration of the Frederick Douglass Debates (which will take place in February 2014) would feature a rematch with Hampton University, the opponent from last year.
FSU Bronco Debate Team plans to continue bringing home awards throughout the year. If you are a student interested in competing, or if you are a faculty/staff member who is interested in judging, please contact Greg Thomas via email at wthomas3@uncfsu.edu.
By: La’eeqa N. Hasan-Hussein
