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St. Thomas More Debate Society
The St. Thomas More Debate Society will seek to cultivate the meritorious skills of debate and persuasive speech which, through effective communication of concepts and analyses, demonstrate the pursuit of veritatis splendor. Ave Maria University student members of this organization will develop skills of logic, critical analysis, persuasive speech, advanced research skills, note-taking and synthesis, time management, use of concise definitions and multi-faceted presentation of arguments to arrive at the optimal conclusion consistent with truth, and the overall ability to be a persuasive orator and societal leader. Students will also gain awareness of global issues as they encounter resolutions involving foreign policy, diverse world-views, and international relations.
Fall 2007 Goals:
Compete in the 9th Annual Star Invitational (NFA) Speech and Debate Tournament to be held November 8-10 in Jacksonville, FL
Long Term Goals:
While the proximate goal of this club is to successfully compete in the highest-ranking extramural competitions of intercollegiate speech and debate, its ultimate purpose, as detailed above, is to develop the crucial skills necessary for a social creature to meaningfully contribute to the society in which he lives, which is his responsibility, remembering John Cardinal Newman's exhortation that, "We attain to heaven by using this world well, though it is to pass away; we perfect our nature not by undoing it, but by adding to it what is more than nature, and directing it towards aims higher than its own."
Dr. Sugrue
Seana Sugrue is Associate Professor of Politics and Chairman of the Department of Politics at Ave Maria University. She came to Ave Maria University from Princeton University, where she was the Associate Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Her research interests include civil liberties and constitutional governance, the role of law in the formation of a just society, civic institutions such as the family, and pro-life concerns. She teaches courses in Constitutional Law, American Civilization, International Relations, and Public Policy, among others. Dr. Sugrue holds the degrees of B.B.A. from Bishop’s University, LL.B. from the University of Ottawa, and both LL.M. and D.C.L. from McGill University. She has taught at Princeton and McGill.
Anna Knier
Anna Knier competed for the Cornhusker Forensics Team at the University of Nebraska after competing in speech and debate in both middle school and high school. In college, she qualified for the National Forensics Association National Tournament and the American Forensics Association National Tournament three times each and was a quarter-finalist in Dramatic Interpretation. She also competed at the National Parliamentary Debate Association National Tournament three times, advancing to elimination rounds twice. She has experience in interpretive, limited prep, and public address events in addition to debate. She has worked on a volunteer basis with high school teams since graduating, and is excited to be involved with the St. Thomas More Debate Society.
