MACON – Mercer University’s debate team began the 2018-2019 season at the Georgia B. Bowman Invitational Sept. 14-16 at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.
The pairing of senior Cassie Malcolm, an English major, and senior Garrett Williams, a philosophy major, reached the octofinals round of the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) format tournament.
Dr. Vasile Stanescu, director of debate, also received the tournament’s Coach of the Year Award, marking the first time that a Mercer debate coach has received this award.
“This tournament continues Mercer’s unbroken five-year run of success in National Parliamentary Debate,” said Dr. Stanescu. “Mercer is yet again off to another great season in debate. I was especially honored to receive the Coach of the Year Award. It is an award that really belongs to the special students I have the privilege to coach. They are not only special debaters; they are special people. They are the reason that I enjoy coaching debate.”
The tournament also served as the debut for former Mercer debater and NPDA national champion Kyle Bligen, who graduated in May, as an assistant coach for the team.
Mercer’s debate team will next compete in the Chicken and Egg Debate Tournament Sept. 29-30 at the University of North Georgia.
