Northwest College Debate – Turning Out Winners
BY MERCY NOVAK
The Talon, May 2003

Northwest College debaters have proven with their continued success that Christians can be intellectuals who can argue with the best in the nation and still keep their testimony intact and strong.

Northwest College is part of the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA). Parliamentary debate is a form of debate in which two teams, comprised of two people each, debate each other on an issue in current events. Judges provide the teams with their topic just fifteen minutes prior to a debate. One team supports the topic, and the other opposes it.

A debate tournament has a minimum of six rounds, after which the best teams advance to the finals, which might then last for over four rounds. Therefore, debaters have to be well versed in current events as well as in the art of thinking on their feet, because they do not know what the opposing team might throw at them. Northwest College students debate with many reputable universities such as Notre Dame, and Rice University. The college currently ranks in the top 18% out of 377 colleges and universities nationwide. In the year 2000, the team achieved a ranking of tenth in the nation.

Gary Gillespie, an Associate Professor at the college, has coached the debate team for the past eighteen ears. He says, “Intercollegiate debate fulfils the college’s mission more fully than any other college activity. The purpose of higher education is to stimulate students’ analysis of culture and create a coherent way of interpreting that analysis. Debate teaches students these skills. It helps Christians to function in a democratic society and prepares them to be better citizens and better leaders.” Troy Henley, a senior on the team adds, “Debate has made me more aware of the world outside NC. It has made me care more for the world in general and want to make it a better place.”

Debate transforms the students who participate in it. They remember it long after their college years end as one of the most valuable components of their academic experience. Gillespie says, “Former NC President, D.V. Hurst, still comes to me and fondly talks about his college debate experience and how much it changed and impacted him.”

Chandra Porter, another senior on the team states, “Debate has made me more logical and better at articulating reasons for my beliefs.” Henley concurs when he comments, “Debate is one of the most educational experiences at NC. Besides my major, it has been my most formative academic experience.”

The team also has a lot of fun. They travel around the country for tournaments, as well as abroad to countries such as Canada, Australia, Greece, and Scotland. In the last fourteen years, Gary Gillespie’s fundraising efforts have brought in $70,000 for the program, which enables the students to travel and receive substantial scholarships. In addition to the traveling and competition, the team shares a great camaraderie.

Porter says, “My best memories of debate include hanging out and building relationships with my team members.” Henley continues, “I am fortunate to have met so many amazing and intelligent people in debate, both on our team and in the other colleges.”

So how does debate affect one’s perspective on Christianity? Gillespie says, “Missionaries have to study foreign cultures in order to know how to reach them. In the same way, Christians need to study the real world in order to witness better.”

Henley ends by saying, “Debate is proof that a critical mind isn’t antithetical to the Christian walk of faith. Faith and intellect should not be in opposition. They can be used together to glorify God.”