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Debate Team


Grove City College is a premier Christian undergraduate institution for debaters measured by the moral and academic caliber of team members, their maturity as individuals and as Christians, their willingness and ability to skillfully defend truth in a fallen world, and their history of success.

Fact Sheet

1.3.1.11-debate_team-body-5637686090966909316

Operating Principles

Debaters compete in Christian and secular debate tournaments, where they aspire to win and provide cultural witness through their arguments and principles. While the structure of debate can implicitly endorse relativism, Grove City College debaters reject that assumption and learn how to make strong arguments without violating conscience or indulging in fallacies. They are instructed to speak the truth exclusively and win debates and arguments honorably.

Committed to upholding the mission of the College, debaters are encouraged to put academics ahead of extracurricular activities and recognize – during and after competition – that they represent their faith, family, and Grove City College.

A Word from Our Head Coach

“At Grove City College we are committed to training young people to win debates through speaking the truth beautifully. Our motto is to ‘speak better and know more.’ Our success speaks to the effectiveness of the formula, but frankly, I am more pleased by the fact that the team is a true community that fosters development in all aspects of life not just argumentation. Our commitment is to developing men and women dedicated to truth and capable of defending it.”

- Dr. Jason R. Edwards, Professor of History and Forensics Head Coach

 

GCC_Debate-Team_1122-1The GCC Debate Team poses with their debate awards in Dayton, Ohio 2021.

Debate Types

Grove City College participates in multiple forms of debate, but emphasizes two types (listed below) to help students fulfill their God-gifted potential in forensics. The strength of each style is a focus on the development of real-world skills and breadth of knowledge:

  • National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA): Two-person teams debate topics in policy, value, and fact announced 15 minutes before the start of a round.
     
  • International Parliamentary Debate Association (IPDA): Single debaters face off on topics of policy, value, and fact announced 20 to 30 minutes before the start of a round. 
A Home for National Champions 

“Competing as a member of the debate team has been one of the most formative experiences I have had as a student at Grove City College. On the debate team, we emphasize critical thinking, eloquent speaking, and – above all – truth. Our prioritization of these values has resulted in a consistent track record of competitive success at a national level. The Grove City College debate team does all of this while also fostering a Christ-centered community in which students have an opportunity for meaningful engagement with coaches and peers.” – Sebastian Anastasi ’23, GCC Varsity Debate Team Member and Senior Captain

 

GCC_Debate-Team_1122-2 The GCC Debate Team poses in front of the Appomattox Court House, where Lee surrendered to Grant at the conclusion of the Civil War.

2022

  • NCCFI Quality Award National Championship

2021

  • Tegan Truitt, PKD Open Parliamentary Debate Speaker National Champion
  • Eden Kleiman, PKD Novice Parliamentary Debate National Champion

2020

  • Christopher Ostertag & Andrew Furjanic, NCCFI Open Parliamenatry Debate  National Champions
  • Ruth Eckman & Reese Overholt, NCCFI Junior Varsity Parliamentary Debate National Champions
  • Christopher Ostertag, NCCFI Open Parliamentary Debate Speaker National Champion
  • Sebastian Anastasi, NCCFI Junior Varsity Parliamentary Debate Speaker National Champion
  • NCCFI Quality Award National Championship

2018

  • PKD Nationals Division I Parliamentary Debate National Champions

2017

  • NCCFI Parliamentary Sweepstakes Division II National Champions
  • Christopher Ostertag, NCCFI Novice Parliamentary Debate Speaker National Champion
  • Carolyn Hartwick, NCCFI Junior Varsity Parliamentary Debate Speaker National Champion

2016

  • Carolyn Hartwick and Hannah Hastings, PKD Novice Parliamentary Debate National Champions
  • Hannah Hastings, PKD Novice Parliamentary Debate Speaker National Champion (Carolyn Hartwick #2)

2015

  • NCCFI Parliamentary Sweepstakes Division III National Champions
  • NCCFI Quality Award National Championship
  • Mark Mariani and Drew Brackbill, PKD Open Parliamentary Debate National Champions
  • Josiah Vehrs and Zechariah Voell, NCCFI Open Parliamentary Debate National Champions

2014

  • Daniel Pugh and David Weix, PKD Open Parliamentary Debate National Champions

2013

  • Jacqueline Busolits, Novice Nationals Parliamentary Debate Speaker National Champion

2012

  • Allen Scheie and Daniel Pugh, NCCFI Open Parliamentary Debate National Champions

2011

  • NCCFI Quality Award National Championship
  • Kyle Marchini and Daniel Pugh, Novice Nationals Parliamentary Debate National Champions
  • Kyle Marchini, Novice Nationals Parliamentary Debate Speaker National Champion (Daniel Pugh #3)

2010

  • NCCFI Quality Award National Championship
  • Nathaniel Cowling and Marc Davis, NCCFI Junior Varsity Parliamentary Debate National Champions

2009

  • NCCFI Quality Award National Championship

2008

  • Kelsey Winther, NCCFI Open Parliamentary Debate Speaker National Champion

Students on the Grove City College Debate Team receive training in persuasive communication in a friendly and supportive community. Debaters develop skills and deepen faith as they compete in tournaments, travel the country, and eat a lot of barbecue.

Coaches

GCC_Debate-Team_1122-Coaches

  • Head Coach: Dr. Jason R. Edwards (l), Professor of History
  • Assistant Coach: Dr. Andrew Harvey (r), Professor of English and Head Speech Coach
News
  • Debaters make their mark at forensics tournament
  • Debate team scores big win on home turf
  • Debate team wins Pa. title, dominates at Falcon Classic
  • Team close out the 2020-21 season with the four-day National Christian Colleges’ Forensics Invitational
  • Grove City College debate team wins two national championships
  • Grove City College debate team ends successful season 
  • Grove City College debaters win big at AEI tourney 
  • College Debate Team brings home two national championships 
  • Debate team closes season at championships 
  • Grove City debaters take second in Fee Tourney 
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