By Norm Miller, LC communications
PINEVILLE (LCNews) – Louisiana College’s debate team competed at the inaugural Alvin College Classic International Public Debate Association tournament in both the novice and professional divisions on March 4-5 in Alvin, Texas.
LC Debate Coach Brian Manuel took top honors in the professional division, and Stephen Marsalis – a third-year debater and junior history major from Lafayette, Louisiana – was a semifinalist in the professional division.
“Louisiana College is one of the oldest organizations on campus, and it owns a winning history,” said Manuel, an adjunct professor at LC and middle school English teacher in Oakdale.
“I am deeply proud of our team because they prepared diligently and represented LC admirably. We continue to see improvement in our statistics.”
Learning to debate teaches students how to communicate clearly and authoritatively while being persuasive in a cordial manner, Manuel said.
“It helps students to be prepared with an answer in most any situation they may face, whether one-on-one, or with colleagues, or even larger audiences.”
The next competition for Louisiana College’s debate team will be the National IPDA championship March 31 – April 3 at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.
