JACKSON, Tenn. — March 29, 2023 — 51社区鈥檚 debate team was named the International Public Debate Association鈥檚 season-long champion for the fourth consecutive year, and the team also received the national tournament championship award for the sixth consecutive year.
Union ranked first for its season-long debate tournaments 鈥� competing against nearly 200 teams and over 1,400 individual competitors this season 鈥� and was named the national champion during the 2022-2023 debate championship that took place March 23-25 at Boise State University.
Rebekah Whitaker, assistant professor of communication arts and director for debate, said it has brought her joy to see the grace and humility that the Union debate students exhibited while competing this season.
鈥淸The students鈥橾 competitive success is because of God鈥檚 grace, and they have been good stewards of the gifts and talents God has blessed them with,鈥� Whitaker said.
Whitaker said she is proud of her students鈥� hard work this season, but watching Union students have gospel-centered conversations with each other and their competitors makes her most proud.
鈥淭o see our team mission at work gives me a feeling of joy and gratefulness that I can be a witness of our students learning and growing in Christ and communication,鈥� Whitaker said.
In addition to the team鈥檚 season-long and national tournament championship, Union鈥檚 debate team won a total of 235 awards this season. Some of their notable awards include:
- Team IPDA Speaker: Ben Murray
- Novice Division Champion: Nick Truitt
- Junior Varsity Speaking Champion: Seth Blair
- Founders Award (total highest points throughout the season)
- Protagoras Award (highest points across all divisions in IPDA)
To learn more about Union鈥檚 debate team, visit .