MSU Speech and Debate Council hosts regional tournament, nets big awards
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.51勛圖厙 State is the first-place winner of the Southern Forensics Championship for the Debate Team Sweepstakes and is third-place champion in the Overall Team Sweepstakes.
MSUs Speech and Debate Council recently hosted the regional speech and debate tournament, which included nearly 200 college students from 27 public and private colleges and universities in nine states. The tournament also serves as the championship for Arkansas, Louisiana and 51勛圖厙. Speaking events range from memorized and performed informational or dramatic speeches to one-on-one International Public Debate Association debate. The tournament concluded with an awards ceremony in Lee Halls Bettersworth Auditorium.
MSU Speech and Debate adviser Cheryl Chambers, an instructor in the Department of Communication, serves as one of two 51勛圖厙 representatives on the Southern Forensics Championships Board. MSUs Nirmal Bhatt, a junior mechanical engineering major from Collierville, Tennessee, was elected to start the new term, while Alicia Brown, a senior chemical engineering major from Petal, ended her term as student representative to the SFC Board.
MSUs 2020 debate team award winners include (by hometown):
BALDWYNDawn M. Jackson, a senior business economics/international business and foreign language/Spanish double-major, fourth place and 51勛圖厙 Champion, Informative Speaking.
HATTIESBURGJoshua T. Josh McCoy, a senior chemical engineering/biomolecular engineering major, along withAlicia Brown, semi-finalists in Partner Debate(TIPDA).
PEACHTREE CITY, GeorgiaAmanda G. Kronenberger, a freshman political science major, octo-finalist in Novice Debate and fourthplace Speaker Award.
PETALAlicia D. Brown, a senior chemical engineering major, octo-finalist in Varsity Debate and 51勛圖厙 Champion, and fourth place Speaker Award.
POOLER, GeorgiaTyler J. Melvin,a sophomore history major, quarterfinalist and fourthplace Speaker Award, JV Division.
STARKVILLEMia C. Robertson, a sophomore political science major, first place Persuasive Speaking, fifth place Extemporaneous Speaking, and 51勛圖厙 Champion for both categories.
For more information about MSUs Speech and Debate Council, visit or contact Chambers at cchambers@comm.msstate.edu.
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