The Bryan College Debate Team

Student Activities + Student Life
The Bryan College Debate Team is a student-led parliamentary debate team that has been competing on a local, regional and national level for four years. We compete in 4-5 tournaments a semester, with weekly team meetings. The Bryan College Debate Team exists because we believe that debate is an invaluable catalyst in rhetoric and persuasive communication, and that it effectively trains students to think critically and speak well on a variety of issues. The Debate Team is open to students with or without prior debate or public speaking experience

2009-2010 Highlights

Chicken or Egg Tournament, Gainesville State, Oakwood, GA January 15-16, 2010:  This was the largest Parliamentary tournament that the state has ever had with 37 teams present, representing schools from states from Florida to Kentucky.

Bryan College took two teams, both of which placed in the top 13 of the entire tournament. Laura Maye and Peter Fastenau, both first year parli debaters, finished in 11th place. Justus Stout and Vincent Smith finished 13th.

The Bryan team also took home three awards in the speaking category. Laura Maye and Peter Fastenau each received a novice speaker award for their consistent performance throughout the tournament. Laura received 9th place speaker and Peter received 14th place. Also, out of the 74 speakers of the tournament, Vincent Smith received 5th place Varsity speaker.

November 20-22, 2009, Porch Swing Tournament hosted by Carson-Newman:

Out of 12 schools competing in the sweepstakes, Bryan was runner-up.

Out of 50 teams, Tori Stewart/Justus Stout Team —Tournament Winner!

More details...


2008-2009 Photos

The Bryan College Debate Team at the Berea Tournament. L-R: Stephen Hill, Natalie Henry, Rebecca Wilson, Susan Wright, Lawrence
LaPlue, Tori Stewart, Paul Shanks.

Enjoying dinner at Cracker Barrel after the Tennessee State Debate Tournament. L-R Jandi Heagen, Stephen Hill, Lawrence LaPlue, Tori Stewart, Justus Stout, Susan Wright, Vincent Smith.

Preparing for a round at the TIFA Tournament. L-R: Brittany McGehee, Melissa Peters,
Tori Stewart, Mrs. Darlene LaPlue,
Paul Shanks, Jandi Heagen, Lawrence
LaPlue, Eric McEachron.
Celebrating a successful tournament at
Walter State Community College. L-R: Eric McEachron, Melissa Peters, Rachel Welch, Brittany McGehee, Tori Stewart, Brian Thomas.

For more information, e-mail debate@bryan.edu.