Renowned team led by Dr. Thomas Freeman claims 34 trophies in Montreal
By: Karen A. Celestan, MFA
The world-renowned Debate Team at Texas Southern University won the 28th Annual International Forensics Association’s Speech and Debate Tournament held March 12-13, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. TSU’s Debate Team was crowned 2018 International Champions and brought home 34 trophies, including 10 first-place awards. The International Forensics Association (IFA) is an affiliate of the National Communication Association (NCA).
The TSU team earned first and second place in parliamentary debate and awards in several categories, including duo, prose, semi-improvisational and semi-extemporaneous. TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane served as a judge in the tournament’s final round.
“Our students displayed high-quality oratory skills and showcased the best that Texas Southern University has to offer,” Dr. Lane said. “We are so proud of their hard work and dedication to task in this tournament.”
Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts is the head coach of TSU’s Debate Team, along with assistant coaches Wendell King II and Sondera Malry, and graduate assistants Shekia Rogers and Okwildilli Onyekawelu. Antréchelle Dorsey is president of the Debate Team. TSU’s Debate Team’s rich history dates back to 1949 under the leadership of Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, professor emeritus and Debate Team head coach. Dr. Freeman, 93, is in his 68th year at Texas Southern and continues to work with the team. TSU debaters have garnered several international titles during the team’s existence.
ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Texas Southern University (TSU) honors our designation as a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research. TSU is a comprehensive university providing higher education access to the nation’s underserved communities. TSU’s academic and research programs address critical urban issues, and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. TSU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees – organized into 10 colleges and schools on a 150-acre campus nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward. The University’s enrollment has a population of more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate-school academic candidates. Texas Southern has been a distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, and the University has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU has positioned itself as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.
