UWG Debate Team Hosts Presidential Debate Watch Party To Encourage Student Involvement

Abbie Klein

On June 27, former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden debated on live television for the whole country to watch. Due to Biden’s withdrawal from the election, presidential candidates Trump and Kamala Harris met for the first time for this year’s second Presidential Debate on Sept. 10. 

With the second debate happening in the fall, the UWG debate team was able to host a watch party for the event welcome to all students regardless of political stance. The event was encouraged to be an opportunity to critique and ask questions about debate techniques used by both individuals and learn more about UWG Debate.

Students who attended the event were given goodie bags with snacks and bingo cards before the debate started. The bingo spaces had different topics and words in them that were predicted to be brought up during the event. Students won bingo by either party mentioning one of the phrases on their spaces. This encouraged attendees to pay attention to everything that was being said and study the debate on a deeper level with the incentive of winning one of the several prizes the team had available. 

Members of the team were also providing live fact checking during the debate for students who had questions or concerns about evidence mentioned. Respectful commentary and questions were encouraged throughout the debate to further increase understanding of the event while it was happening.

“There’s a substantial body of research showing participation in debate increases students’ academic achievement,” said Michael Hester, director of UWG Debate. “And the skills learned in debate – media literacy, critical thinking, audience analysis and persuasion – do more than help students perform better in the classroom. These are the skills citizens need to positively contribute to democratic governance.” 

Throughout the year, UWG Debate hosts multiple events to engage the public with debate. This very successful debate team encourages all students to get involved with the program and take advantage of its benefits. 

“Any currently enrolled student can be a member of UWG Debate,” said Hester. “Those that choose to participate on our intercollegiate competition squad, led by Coach Geoff Lundeen, will have opportunities to meet with and debate against top students from the best universities across the country, earn scholarships, win championships and gain the skills and build the kind of resume that has a track record of securing admissions to the top graduate schools.” 

UWG debate has won multiple titles and is placed in the top 15 of all college debate programs, making it onto the list with ivy league schools like Dartmouth and Harvard. 

“West Georgia Debate has been a nationally-renowned intercollegiate debate program for more than fifty years,” said Hester. “In the twenty-nine years that I have been director, UWG Debate has won three national championships, finished as national runner-up twice and reached the Final Four on two other occasions.” 

Students that missed this event or want to get more involved with debate are encouraged to attend a second watch party being held on Oct. 1 for the Vice President debate. Various other student organizations will also be holding events on voter education within the next few weeks. 

To learn more about UWG Debate and be informed about future events follow their instagram @uwg_debaters or stop by their office in Callaway 160.