Top Debate Team
October 23, 2013
UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications
UT Tyler Continues Tradition of Excellence in Debate
October 23, 2013
Media Contact: Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)
October 24, 2013
The University of Texas at Tyler is among the best nationwide in parliamentary debate by continuing its tradition of excellence, Dr. Martin Slann, College of Arts and Sciences dean, announced.
UT Tyler is currently ninth in the 2013-14 National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence rankings after claiming top spots at the NPTE’s bellwether tournament held at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill. The national rankings are from a field of more than 250 collegiate debate teams and put UT Tyler above the University of California – Berkeley, University of Oregon, Southern Illinois University, Texas Tech University and Purdue University, among others.
UT Tyler sophomore political science major Kaitlyn Bull of Powderly and freshman social sciences major Samuel Cook of Flint placed second overall at the tournament, which featured more than 30 teams from across the country. They each received ‘Best Speaker’ recognition as well.
“I am very proud of Kaitlyn and Sam and the entire UT Tyler group. Their hard work is starting to pay off,” said Dr. Charles Walts, UT Tyler director of forensics. “It is a very intense program and takes hours of practice to compete at the national level.”
UT Tyler junior speech communication major Dallas Flick of Aubrey and sophomore history major Carver Hodgkiss of Paris placed fourth overall, while freshman political science major Steve Hullum of Tyler and freshman economics major Taylor Manatsa of Wylie placed among the top half of teams competing.
NPTE’s ranking system also determines who qualifies for the national tournament, Walts added.
The university’s program competes in both NPTE and the National Parliamentary Debate Association.
For more information, contact Walts, 903.565.5627 or cwalts@uttyler.edu or visit https://www.uttyler.edu/communication/debate-team.
One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 7,500 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.