A group of debate alumni have formed an Advisory Council to help perpetuate KU's 100-year tradition of excellence in intercollegiate debate. “I'm very excited about the formation of the Advisory Council,” said Scott Harris, KU's coach since 1991.  “No program has a history like KU's.  Our continued success requires that we use proprietary on-line research engines like Lexis-Nexus, recruit outstanding debaters, offer scholarships, travel to major national tournaments, and take advantage of other advances in technology. All of that will require alumni support.  The debaters, coaches and I truly appreciate the commitment the Advisory Council has made to support this program.” The Advisory Council plans to add the participation of other alums as Alumni Representatives.  “We want to reach out to debaters from every era of the program,” added Biesecker, a 1962 grad who debated for Wil Linkugel. Anyone with ideas concerning KU Debate and/or alumni activities should feel free to e-mail any Council member (perhaps you recognize a name or two?) or comsalum@mail.ukans.edu.

Advisory Council Members Tom Beisecker, Mark Gidley, Joel Goldman, Scott Harris, Bill Hensley, Dana Hensley, Donn Parson, Jim Prentice, Robin Rowland, Bill Russell

Current Initiatives

One of the challenges for the Council is to identify the hundreds of debaters who have debated for KU since the program began under Dr. E.C. Buehler in 1929.  The Council expects to have an updated alumni list completed by the end of the current academic year.  Anyone having names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for debate alumni should e-mail the information to comsalum@mail.ukans.edu .

A kick-off event will be planned for the fall of next year.  “We have a great deal of work to do until then,” Bill Russell said.  “But it's vital that we do whatever it takes to make certain that KU's debate program remains successful and competitive on a national level.”

In addition, the Coucil is helping further the re-design and development the KU Debate website. “We hope to have a web site devoted to KU Debate alumni,” said Mark Gidley.  “It will provide a great opportunity for debaters to reconnect with one another.”

Look for updates on the Advisory Council in future editions of the bi-annual KU Debate newsletter. To subscribe to the newletter, e-mail your name and address to comsalum@mail.ukans.edu.

Debate Homecoming

This fall, join the members of the Jayhawk Debate Alumni Committee at the first Jayhawk Debate Homecoming. The reunion will take place October 25-26, 2002 on the KU campus. Invitations will be sent in August. Stay tuned for more details.