For Immediate Release: March 23, 2001
MWC DEBATE TEAM WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Fredericksburg, Va. -- Mary Washington College students came away with a first place victory from the American Debate Association's national tournament held at Clarion University in Clarion, Pa., March 16-18. This is the first time that the MWC debate team has won a national championship and it was especially significant since the victory went to two of the college's six two-person teams.
The two MWC teams, which were competing in the division designed for students participating in their first year of intercollegiate debate, defeated teams from Boston College and West Virginia University in the semifinals, and Miami of Ohio and the Catholic University of America in the quarter finals. The teams consisted of John Nagy of Gahanna, Ohio, with Carlotta Woods of Oak Harbor, Wash., and Michael Hagan of Yardley, Pa., with Hazel Uhlenhopp of Charlottesville, Va.
In the junior varsity division, MWC debaters Nora Cronin of East Meadow, N.Y., and Judy Goss of Southampton, N.J., captured third place. MWC debaters also brought home four awards for individual performances during the tournament.
Timothy M. O'Donnell, director of debate and assistant professor of English at Mary Washington College, was awarded the American Debate Association's prestigious Lambert Award. The award is given annually to an outstanding debate coach for service to the association and excellence in coaching. The college's debate program has been ranked as one of the top ten programs in the nation throughout the season.
The national topic for the 2000-2001 debate season was: "Should the United States increase development assistance to Africa?" The MWC team started researching the national debate topic in August and has competed successfully at 12 different debate tournaments during the season.
The team was joined at the tournament by John Morello, assistant vice president for academic affairs at Mary Washington College, who served as the tournament director.
For more information on the debate program, contact Dr. O'Donnell at (540) 654-1252.
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