Boston University Debate Society

Boston University Debate Society is a prestigious debate team based at Boston University, competing against other top teams from Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Tufts University. The team has a long history of excellence, with members often participating in tournaments hosted by Yale University, University of California, Berkeley, and New York University. The society's activities are supported by Boston University College of Arts and Sciences and Boston University School of Law, providing members with access to resources and expertise from John F. Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Law School. The team's success is also attributed to the guidance of experienced coaches from University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.

● History

The Boston University Debate Society was founded in the early 20th century, with the first recorded tournament taking place in 1920 at Faneuil Hall. The team has since become a prominent figure in the American Debate Association, competing against teams from Stanford University, University of Chicago, and Columbia University. Throughout its history, the team has been influenced by notable debaters such as Aristotle, Cicero, and Abraham Lincoln, who are known for their exceptional Rhetoric skills, as demonstrated in the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln-Douglas debates. The team has also been shaped by the National Forensic League, National Debate Tournament, and World Universities Debating Championship, which have provided opportunities for members to engage with debaters from University of Toronto, University of Melbourne, and University of Edinburgh.

● Organization

The Boston University Debate Society is a student-run organization, with a board of directors comprising members from Boston University School of Business and Boston University College of Communication. The team is divided into Varsity debate and Novice debate squads, with members participating in tournaments hosted by Dartmouth College, Brown University, and University of Pennsylvania. The society also collaborates with other debate teams from MIT Debate Team, Harvard Debate Team, and Yale Debate Team, organizing joint tournaments and workshops with World Debate Institute and National Debate Tournament. The team's activities are supported by Boston University Student Union and Boston University Alumni Association, which provide resources and funding for tournaments and events.

● Competitions

The Boston University Debate Society competes in various tournaments throughout the year, including the National Debate Tournament, World Universities Debating Championship, and American Debate Association nationals. The team has a strong record in these competitions, with members often advancing to the finals and semifinals against teams from University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan, and Duke University. The team has also participated in international tournaments, such as the World Schools Debating Championship and European Universities Debating Championship, where members have engaged with debaters from University of London, University of Paris, and University of Berlin. The society's success in these competitions is attributed to the guidance of experienced coaches from Oxford Union and Cambridge Union Society.

● Notable Alumni

The Boston University Debate Society has a long list of notable alumni, including John Kerry, Michael Dukakis, and William Weld, who have gone on to pursue careers in Politics, Law, and Diplomacy. Other notable alumni include David Souter, Stephen Breyer, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who have served as Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. The team's alumni have also included Pulitzer Prize winners, such as Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior, who have worked for The New York Times and The Washington Post. The society's alumni network also includes members from Council on Foreign Relations, Brookings Institution, and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

● Activities and Events

The Boston University Debate Society hosts various activities and events throughout the year, including Debate tournaments, Workshops, and Lectures. The team has hosted tournaments in collaboration with Harvard University Debate Team and MIT Debate Team, featuring topics such as Climate change, Economic inequality, and International relations. The society has also organized workshops with World Debate Institute and National Debate Tournament, providing members with training and coaching from experienced debaters from University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. The team's events have been attended by notable figures, such as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Angela Merkel, who have spoken on topics such as Global governance and Human rights. The society's activities are supported by Boston University Events Calendar and Boston University News Service, which provide coverage and promotion of the team's events. Category:Debate teams