The Northwest University debate team elected philosophy major Nigel Reed captain for 2007-2008. Nigel, 25, from Aberdeen, Washington debated for Northwest when he was a student three years ago. He returned this year to complete his degree and won several debate competitions, including third place at the Willamette University tournament and second place at Mount Hood College. His debating skill earned him the respect of his team, who elected him unanimously.
Nigel's interpersonal skills attract people to him as a leader. In high school he was elected captain of both the football team and the Knowledge Bowl team.
Knowledge Bowl is a competitive activity that judges high school students from across the state on a variety of academic issues and topics. Reed's team made state championship all four years -- winning third place in 1999 and fifth place in 2000.
Nigel will use his experience as a student leader in helping the Eagle Debate team grow next year when the program will be relying on mostly new debaters.
He plans is to pursue a Masters and Doctorate in Philosophy and would like to someday to teach at the University level.
Coach Gillespie says that Nigel came along at exactly the right time to provide the leadership that the program needs to succeed. He is mature, responsible and has a stellar knowledge of philosophy, politics and current events. He is also very appealing person who will be enjoyable to work with.
Congratulations to Nigel Reed. Our Eagle Debate team captain and leader.
List of Eagle Debate Team Captains
Jacob Witt: 1997 -- 1999
Josh Brittingham: 2000
Megan (Calkins) Brinkman: 2001
Dustin McClure: 2002
Jon King: 2003 -- 2004
Sara Boyd: 2005
Jed Nelsen: 2006
Highlights of the Eagle Debate Team
1998 -- World Championships in Athens, Greece.
1999 -- James Stewart selected for US Debate Team European Tour.
2000 -- NPDA Octa-finals. Tenth in nation in NPDA sweepstakes.
2001 -- First Place Debate, International Forensics Association
tournament in Vancouver, Canada.
2002 -- Word Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Two teams close out
Portland Community. College tournament for second year in a row.
2003 -- Third Place Great Alaska Speakout.
2004 -- International Forensics Association tournament in Madrid, Spain.
2005 -- 23 awards at Tournament of the Great Northwest at Seattle
University. Hawaii Pacific University tournament.
2006 -- International Forensics Association tournament in Prague, Czech
Republic in March. Oxford and Cambridge tournaments in November. World Championships in Vancouver, Canada in December.
Some Outstanding Debate Alumni
Roger Altizer --
PhD in Communication, University of Utah
Autumn (Donnell) Witt -- PhD candidate at University of Arizona
James Stewart -- Assistant Professor of Communication and Debate coach
at Bethany University.
Megan (Calkins) Brinkman -- high school debate coach.
Josh Brittingham -- UCLA Law School student.
Jordan Goddard -- Harvard Law School student.
Gideon Copple -- United Nations Association Intern.
Nathan Novak -- Second Lieutenant, United States Army
Evan Muxen -- First Lieutenant, United States Army
(please send Gary Gillespie updates for other outstanding debate
alumni.)
Eagle Debaters Chosen for Commencement Speakers
Josh Brittingham 2000
Autumn (Donnell) Witt 2001
Megan (Calkins) Brinkman 2002
Christina (Reasner) Gard 2004
Gideon Copple 2006