WKU Launches Debate Program
For Area High Schools

September 05, 2003

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University's award-winning forensic team is working to enhance debate programs at five area high schools.

The William E. Bivin Forensic Society, with support from Bowling Green attorney Charles English, has launched an Area High School Debate Enrichment Program.

Each Tuesday afternoon, students from Warren Central, Warren East, Bowling Green, Bowling Green Christian Academy and Franklin-Simpson high schools come to Western to learn the fundamentals of Lincoln-Douglas debate.

"This program is an excellent outreach effort for Western to get students interested in debate," said Judy Woodring, director of Western's speech and debate program.

Teachers and coaches also have been encouraged to participate in the program, which is conducted from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Cherry Hall.

"Years ago, the Bowling Green area was well-known for its strength in debate and produced several national champion debaters. In recent years, however, speech and debate programs have faded away in Kentucky schools. That's having a huge impact on college programs," Woodring said, noting that fewer than 10 state high schools have debate teams.

Doug Mory, WKU's debate coach, said learning the fundamentals of Lincoln-Douglas debate provides students with skills they'll use for a lifetime. "I can think of no better program for high schools to support than debate," he said.

Students participating in the Area High School Debate Enrichment Program will have tournaments on the last Tuesday of each month. In March, those students will represent their schools in the State Debate Tournament.

For more information, contact Judy Woodring at (270) 745-6340. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

-WKU-