Carthage Debate Team

The Carthage Debate Team competes in NPDA/NPTE Parliamentary debate. This form of debate rewards the quick construction of rigorous arguments, as well as the ability to synthesize arguments into persuasive, coherent narratives.

Collegiate debate confers several benefits onto its participants. Debate is an excellent forum for learning how to reason about contemporary society rigorously while still communicating ideas both cogently and clearly. Parliamentary debate in particular trains students to apply themselves to a broad range of subjects. These skills benefit students in every discipline.

Successful members of Carthage's Debate Team have declared a broad range of majors, including political science, philosophy, economics, neuroscience, mathematics and computer science. Former Carthage debaters cite their collegiate debate experience as important to their success at jobs and in graduate school.

Carthage's Debate Team enjoys consistent success at NPDA tournaments throughout the season. Teams regularly break to out rounds and individual debaters often win speaker awards.

All Carthage students are welcome to join the team. The team covers tournament entry fees and expenses for 8-10 tournaments each year. Prospective students with experience in high school policy debate should consider applying for the Carthage Debate Scholarship. If you are interested in joining, contact Matthew Tuttle for meeting times and locations.

Kirsten Bergstrom, '15, Kyle Anzalone, '13, Nate Ruffolo, '13, and Nate Fulton, '13, in Topeka Kansas for the Washburn University Debate Tournament Nov. 12-13, 2011. The Debate Team visited the historic site that prompted the case of Brown vs. Board of Education.

Academics at Carthage

Prospective Students

Alumni

I had no idea how much of an impact college debate would have on my life. Carthage Debate introduced me to my best friend, introduced me to new ideas and thought structures, and took me across the country.

— Dana Watt, '10