UMW Downs Harvard

Mary Washington’s debate team argued its way to the top last October, finishing first at the University of Richmond’s national debate invitational.

Seniors Nick Ryan and Sean Jansen paired up to defeat a team from Harvard University in the tournament’s final round. UMW also won matches against teams from the University of Miami and the University of Richmond, as well as Georgetown, Towson, George Mason, and Binghamton universities.

The national intercollegiate topic for debate this season revolves around U.S. government engagement with and aid to Middle Eastern countries.

Debate, which allows students to hone the skills of civic engagement and democratic participation, has a long history at Mary Washington, dating nearly to the school’s beginning. The activity helps develop communication skills, critical thinking, and an awareness and knowledge of important public issues.

Led by Tim O’Donnell, associate professor in the Department of English, Linguistics, and Speech, UMW’s debaters participate in both competitive policy and public debate. The team has consistently been ranked among the country’s top 20 by the National Debate Tournament.

To learn more about UMW’s debate team, visit www.umw.edu/cas/debate.