Speech and Debate Program

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Participating on a debate team is one of the best ways to develop strong public speaking skills, hone your critical thinking abilities, and establish strong leadership experience.

As part of the program, you'll experience a close-knit, supportive environment and develop skills you can use throughout your career. Westminster's Speech and Debate program is designed for everyone—whether you have experience or not. You'll work closely with your coach and teammates to set personal and team goals each year.

Team and Tournaments

Students can participate in the Westminster Speech and Debate program by enrolling in a 1-credit class designed to help students build skills, practice strategies, and prepare for tournaments. The Speech and Debate course helps you develop and refine skills in public speaking and informed debate, with an emphasis on preparing them for leadership and competition. Speech and Debate is instrumental in helping students become better critical thinkers who develop strong arguments and effective speeches through hands-on experience in a dynamic, supportive environment.

If you do not enroll in the class can still participate by joining the team for weekly meetings and practice sessions. Team members also participate in events, field trips, and competitions, and have the chance to be high school competition judges and mentors.

Most recently, the Speech and Debate team competed at Northwest Nazarene in International Public Debate (IPDA), Impromptu, Extemporaneous, Prose, and After Dinner Speaking. From Westminster's entries, there were 5 finalists, placing in the top 6 of their events. In addition, Asher Dean (freshman), took third place in Extemporaneous Speaking.

An example of tournaments the Speech and Debate program participates in include:

Annual Earl Wells Speakeasy Tournament—Oregon State University, Corvalis, OR
Great Salt Lake Invitational—University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Northwest Nazarene University Tournament—Nazarene University, Nampa, ID
BG Forensics Magic Swing with Pi Kappa Delta—Ohio University, Athens, OH
More to come

Learning Outcomes

Objectively approach controversial issues
Create evidence-based claims
Perform as effective public speakers
Think critically and creatively
Develop civic literacy and the capacity to be community-engaged learners who act in mutually beneficial ways with community partners

Meetings

Students who are interested in joining the Speech and Debate team are encouraged to enroll in the associated class, but anyone can join the Speech and Debate team even if they aren’t part of the class. Meetings are held on Tuesdays from 6–8:00 p.m. in Dick 102. All are welcome.

Scholarships

You do not have to register for the 1-credit Speech and Debate program course to be on the team. However, you must register for the course to be eligible for the scholarship. Team members registered for the program are eligible for one of 6 scholarships for $1,000, which are renewable starting in academic year 2025–26. Five scholarships are reserved for first-year students and 1 scholarship is reserved for a transfer student.

To be considered for the debate scholarship at Westminster you must submit the following:

Completed Westminster application for admission, including all required documents
Scholarship interest form
Description of your speech and debate experiences that have prepared you to be a contributor to the team, or a debate resume
Reference information or a recommendation letter from someone who can speak to your potential to contribute to the team
Short answers to the following questions:
- Why are you interested in joining Westminster’s Speech and Debate team?
- What experiences have prepared you to be a successful contributor to this team?
- What do you hope to gain from this experience and how will your participation contribute to your future plans?

Please email debate@westminsteru.edu if you are a current student interested in joining the Speech and Debate team.

“Through speech and debate, you learn crucial skills that will serve you in your personal life and your professional life. Whether you have some experience or no experience at all, we as a team want to build those skills together.”

Read The Story

Tanner Latham (’16)
Speech and Debate coach

Top 5 Reasons to Join Speech and Debate

Enhances Communication Skills

Clear communication is vital for every aspect of your college career. In the workplace, strong communication skills will set you apart. Debaters learn to shine in presenting ideas effectively, clearly, and confidently.

Demonstrates Commitment and Achievement

Balancing the demands of debate with academic work shows your ability to manage your time and commit to long-term goals.

Enhances Research and Analytical Skills

The research-heavy nature of debate makes you highly effective in gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing information quickly and effectively.

Builds Confidence and Leadership

Whether it's contributing to class discussions or taking on leadership roles in team projects, debate can help you build the confidence you need to excel in college. The ability to stay composed under pressure and lead conversations also prepares you for leadership opportunities in your future career.

Develops Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

Your ability to think on your feet, analyze complex information, and develop sound arguments is an asset that will help you succeed in college. After you graduate, you’ll be able to demonstrate you can approach problems from multiple angles and propose effective solutions.