The UofL Debate Program
Sidebar
The University of Louisville Debate Program is heavily aligned with the larger mission of the College of Arts and Sciences. Our undergraduate students engage in graduate-level research while acquiring high-level critical-thinking, problem-solving and oral communication skills. Competitively and educationally successful, the program has brought national attention to the university by melding intellectual rigor with community service and a mission to cultivate innovation in scholarship.
Program Highlights
2024-2025:
- JW Patterson Debate Tournament at the University of Kentucky
- Divya Naidugari and Ta'Ron Johnson finished as semifinalists; Naidugari was 2nd-place speaker and Johnson was 7th-place speaker.
- American Debate Association Fall Championships at Wake Forest University
- Divya Naidugari and Ta'Ron Johnson finished as quarterfinalists; Naidugari was 9th-place speaker and Johnson was 13th-place speaker.
- CEDA National Debate Tournament at Rutger’s University
- Acia Diallo and Ta'Ron Johnson finished with a preliminary record of 4-4, remarkable for a first varsity competition.
- Additional Awards and Recognition:
- Director of Debate and Debate Coach Tiffany Dillard-Knox was awarded the Brownlee Award, the highest coaching honor given by the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) national tournament.
- Additionally, Shauntrice Martin ('07) won the Alumni of the Year award at CEDA.
The Brownlee Award is given annually to a forensic educator who demonstrates outstanding achievement in scholarship, education and service to CEDA. The award is named in honor of longtime coach and founding CEDA member Don Brownlee. The ideal candidate demonstrates some element of all three factors (scholarship, education and service to CEDA).
Academic Success Plan Program
The staff has developed a comprehensive academic success planning program to aid students in their academic progress. In addition to working toward successful matriculation, students are also guided through a 4-year career readiness plan. These regular meetings with staff include but are not limited to: expansion and development of resumes, preparation for the LSAT/GRE/GMAT exams, applying for post-graduate programs, individual academic advising and general support in other areas of their lives that impact their academic progress.
The staff works to help students find academic electives that align with their post-graduation goals in order to ensure that the students have the necessary experiences and qualifications in their academic portfolio at the time of graduation.
- Year One -Goal Setting
- Year Two -Resume building through study abroad, internships and fellowships
- Year Three -Exam preparation, graduate program(s) selection
- Year Four -Application Submissions
- Year One - Goal Setting
- Year Two -Resume building through co-ops and internships
- Year Three -Job Search
- Year Four -Application Submissions
Future Debaters
Interested in joining the University of Louisville Debate Team? Click the appropriate link below to fill out and submit an application!
Proven Results
The program's historic and ongoing commitment to student growth and advancement can be seen in the post-graduate careers of former debaters. The program has guided debaters into academic, intellectual and professional careers as Fulbright Scholars, attorneys, journalists, fashion designers, chemists, collegiate administrators, Directors of national intercollegiate debate programs, educators—at the K-12 level and on numerous college campuses—social workers and as social/community organizers. Graduates from the program are currently pursuing or have already obtained advanced and terminal degrees in medicine, social work, law, education, urban and public affairs, communication, Pan-African studies and women's and gender studies.
For Alumni
We are working to collect updated information for the alumni of our program. If you have been a member of the debate team at the University of Louisville at any time, please submit our alumni information form to help us stay connected with you.
Support the Team
Your financial support is critical to our success. Gifts to the UofL Debate Team aid in funding travel to tournaments and purchasing necessary equipment (computers, hard drives, office supplies, etc.). Long-term gifts will assist the program in growing and expanding its reach by increasing the student scholarship fund, as well as growing the staff to accommodate student growth. With your help, we can!
