FULTON DEBATE RANKED IN TOP TEN IN BOTH
CEDA AND NDT RANKINGS FOR 2008-2009 (4.24.09)
In the final standings released by the Cross-Examination Debate Association (CEDA) and the National Debate Tournament Committee (NDT), Boston College achieved a top ten ranking: 6th place in CEDA and 9th in NDT. Points are awarded based on a school's best performance at six tournaments for the CEDA rankings and eight tournaments for the NDT rankings.
FINAL CDA RANKINGS FOR 2008-2009
1. Liberty University
2. Binghamton University
3. University of Oklahoma
4. University of Kansas
5. Emory University
6. BOSTON COLLEGE
7. Wake Forest University
8. University of Mary Washington
9. Northwestern University
10. Wichita State University
11. United States Military Academy
12. University of Central Oklahoma
13. Kansas State University
14. University of California, Berkeley
15. Towson University
16. University of West Georgia
17. University of Louisiana, Lafayette
18. Gonzaga University
19. Clarion University
20. University of Minnesota
21. Baylor University
22. Harvard University
23. Michigan State University
24. University of Wyoming
25. University of Texas, Austin
FINAL NDT RANKINGS FOR 2009-2009
1. Liberty University
2. Binghamton University
3. University of Oklahoma
4. Emory University
5. University of Kansas
6. Wake Forest University
7. United States Military Academy
8. Northwestern University
9. BOSTON COLLEGE
10. Wichita State University
11. University of Mary Washington
12. Kansas State University
13. University of Central Oklahoma
14. Towson University
15. University of California, Berkeley
16. Clarion University
17. Baylor University
18. Gonzaga University
19. Harvard University
20. Whitman University
21. Cornell University
22. Michigan State University
23. West Virginia University
24. University of Louisiana, Lafayette
25. University of Minnesota
GABE STACY WINS 117th ANNUAL FULTON PRIZE DEBATE;
JOHN MAHONEY, JR., NAMED FULTONIAN OF THE YEAR! (4.16.09)
Gabriel Stacy '12, an economics major from Pittsburgh, won the 117th Annual Fulton Prize Debate held on April 15th in Gasson 305 before a standing-room only crowd. The topic for the debate was, "Resolved: That Congress should repeal the Federal Uniform Drinking Age Act." The judges for the debate were Dr. Charles Morris, Howard Singer and Dr. John L. Mahoney, Sr.
Debating on the affirmative side was Brendan Benedict '12, a political science major from New Jersey, and Sean O’Hara '09, a history major from Vermont. Debating on the negative side with Stacy was Matthew Maerowitz '10, an economics major from Arizona.
The affirmative side argued that binge drinking among college students and underage youths was rampant today. In light of the failure of the 21 year old drinking age law to curtail binge drinking, the affirmative advocated allowing the individual states to enforce lower drinking ages if they agree to implement alcohol education programs before issuing provisional drinking licenses to 18 to 20 year olds.
Arguing against this proposal, the negative side claimed that lowering the drinking age will facilitate the provision of alcohol to high school students, resulting in higher rates of binge drinking. Moreover, the negative cited evidence from the National Highway Safety Administration and other studies who have determined that lowering the drinking age will cause a dramatic increase in highway traffic fatalities.
In a unanimous decision, the judges awarded the debate to the negative side and named Gabriel Stacy as the top speaker. As the top speaker of the debate, Gabriel Stacy received the gold Fulton Medal and his name will be painted on the front wall of Gasson 305. Stacy was also honored as the 2009 recipient of the Joseph F. Quinn award for being the outstanding first year debater.
As the second place speaker, Sean O’Hara received the silver Gargan Medal. O’Hara was also named the 2009 recipient of the Kevin P. Duffy Award for Excellence in Debate. During the 2008-2009 debate season, O’Hara won three tournaments held at Cornell, Western Connecticut, and the University of Massachusetts.
John Mahoney, Jr., the Director of Admissions at Boston College, was honored as the Fultonian of the Year. Mahoney was recognized for his record of excellence in improving the student selectivity ratings for the admissions office and for his assistance in admitting talented debaters to Boston College.
FULTON PRIZE DEBATE TO BE HELD ON APRIL 15;
JOHN MAHONEY, JR., TO BE HONORED AS FULTONIAN OF THE YEAR (4.1.09)
The 117th Annual Fulton Prize Debate will be held on Wednesday, April 15th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fulton Debate Room (Gasson 305). The Prize Debate will feature a debate on the topic, “Resolved: That Congress should repeal the Federal Uniform Drinking Age Act.”
Four members of the Fulton Debating Society will participate in the debate: Gabriel Stacy '12, Matthew Maerowitz '10, Brendan Benedict '12, and Sean O’Hara '09.
The best speaker of the debate will be awarded a gold Fulton Medal, and have their name painted high above the wall of the Fulton Debating Room, where the names of previous winners dating back to 1890 appear. The second place speaker will receive the sterling silver Gargan medal.
Another tradition of the Fulton Prize Debate is to recognize a Fultonian of the Year. This award is presented to a member of the Boston College community who has provided service to the Boston College community and supported the ideals of the society. The Society is proud to announce that John L. Mahoney, Jr., Director of Admissions, will be recognized as the 2009 Fultonian of the year.
Judging this year’s debate will be Mr. Howard Singer, Associate Director of Admissions, Dr. Charles E. Morris, III., a Fulton alum and Associate Professor of Communication, and Dr. John Mahoney, Sr., Rattigan Professor of English Emeritus and Fulton Debate Director from 1955 to 1960.
The debate should last approximately one hour. Following the debate, there will be a brief question and answer session, where audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions.
FULTON DEBATE REACHES QUARTERFINALS AT ADA NATIONALS (3.16.09)
Boston College reached the quarter finals in the novice division of the American Debate Association national championship tournament hosted by Appalachian State in Boone, North Caroline during March 12-15, 2009.
Schools competing in the novice division included Appalachian State University, Capital University, Clarion University, George Mason University, John Carroll University, Liberty University, the United States Naval Academy, the University of South Florida, the University of Mary Washington, Vanderbilt University, Wayne State University, West Virginia University, and Wilkes University.
Competing for Boston College in the novice division were two teams: Ryan Folio '12 and Ken Aruda '10, and Brendan Benedict '12 and Chris Fegan '12.
In the octo-finals, Folio and Aruda debating on the negative defeated Capital University in a unanimous decision, and Benedict and Fegan debating on the negative defeated George Mason in a unanimous decision.
In the quarter finals, Folio and Aruda debating on the affirmative side lost to Liberty in a unanimous decision and Benedict and Fegan debating on the negative side also lost to Liberty in a unanimous decision.
In a very strong novice division, Brendan Benedict was named the 5th best speaker and Ryan Folio received 8th place speaker honors.
FULTON DEBATE QUALIFIES FOR THE NATIONAL DEBATE TOURNAMENT (3.4.09)
Matthew Maerowitz '10 and Gabe Stacy '12 became the thirty-eighth team from Boston College to qualify for the National Debate Tournament (NDT).
The NDT is the oldest and most prestigious of the national tournaments. Participation in the tournament is limited to the top seventy-eight debate teams in the United States. The tournament was first held in 1947 and was hosted by the United States Military Academy for its first twenty years. In 1967, the NDT began a rotation system whereby a different region and school host the tournament every year. Boston College hosted the tournament in 1976. This year, the University of Texas at Austin will host the NDT during March 27-30, 2009.
Maerowitz and Stacy qualified for the NDT by finishing among the top seven teams at the District 8 (Northeast) qualifying tournament which was held at Baruch College during February 28-March 1. Schools competing at the district tournament included Binghamton University, City University of New York, Cornell University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Marist University, The New School, the United States Military Academy, the University of Rochester, and the University of Vermont.
Maerowitz and Stacy finished in fifth place, defeating teams from the City University of New York (twice), Marist University, and splitting ballots with Binghamton University. Maerowitz and Stacy lost debates to Harvard University and Dartmouth College. In addition to Boston College, District 8 will be represented at the NDT by Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Binghamton University, and the University of Rochester.
FULTON DEBATE REACHES SEMI-FINALS IN NOVICE AND JUNIOR VARSITY AT DISTRICT EIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (3.4.09)
Boston College reached the semi-finals in the Novice and Junior Varsity divisions of the North East regional championship tournament hosted by Baruch College during February 28-March 1, 2009.
In the Junior Varsity division, Grant Gendron '10 and Kelsey Muraoka '10 compiled a 4-2 record during the preliminary debates defeating teams from New York University, Towson University, Binghamton University, and the United States Military Academy. In the quarter-finals, Gendron and Muraoka debating on the affirmative defeated Towson in a 3-0 decision. In the semi-finals, Gendron and Muraoka lost on a 3-0 decision to The New School.
In the novice division, Boston College competed two teams who reached the elimination rounds. Ryan Folio '12 and Ken Aruda '10 were 4-1 during the preliminary rounds, defeating teams from the University of Rochester (twice), Western Connecticut State University, and Dartmouth College. Folio and Aruda received a bye to the octa-final round where they defeated Western Connecticut in a 3-0 decision. In the quarter-finals, Folio and Aruda debating on the negative defeated West Point in a unanimous decision. In the semi-finals, Folio and Aruda were defeated on a split decision by Binghamton.
Brendan Benedict '12 and Chris Fegan '12 were also 4-1 during the preliminary rounds defeating teams from Western Connecticut State University, the United States Military Academy, West Virginia University, and the University of Vermont. Benedict and Fegan received a bye to the octa-final round where they defeated West Point in a split decision. In the quarter-finals, Benedict and Fegan lost in a split decision to Binghamton.
In a very strong novice division comprised of forty-two teams, Brendan Benedict was named the 5th best speaker and Ryan Folio received 9th place speaker honors.
Novice and Junior Varsity debaters will conclude their season by competing at the American Debate Association’s Championship Tournament, which will be held during March 13-15 at Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina.
FULTON DEBATE WINS CORNELL TOURNAMENT (2.17.09)
Boston College won the Junior Varsity and the Rookie divisions at the Cornell University Tournament held in Ithaca, New York, during February 14-15, 2009. A partial list of schools competing at the tournament included Binghamton University, Case Western Reserve, Cornell University, John Carroll University, Marist University, New York University, the United States Military Academy, the University of Rochester, and the University of Vermont.
Brenden Benedict '12 and Sean O’Hara '09 won the Junior Varsity division by defeating Binghamton University on a unanimous decision. In the championship debate, Boston College was locked negative against Binghamton, because the two teams met during the preliminary rounds. In the re-match, Boston College out-manuevered the more experienced Binghamton team by advocating a counterplan in which the EPA waived the requirements for mandating the use of biofuels. The affirmative plan required Congress to repeal the mandate.
During the elimination rounds, Benedict and O’Hara won all of their rounds debating on the negative side. In the octa-finals, Benedict and O’Hara decisively defeated the United States Military Academy; in the quarter-finals, BC upset the top seeded and undefeated Binghamton University team; and in the semi-finals, BC defeated another team from the United States Military Academy.
Cal Greene '12 and Jamie Zhang '12, debating at their first tournament, won the "rookie" division, defeating Binghamton University in the final round on a unanimous decision. Cal Greene was named the top rookie speaker and Jamie Zhang received 4th place speaker honors.
Gabe Stacy '12 and Matthew Maerowitz '10, debating in the varsity division, reached the final round. During the preliminary rounds, Stacy & Maerowitz won five of six debates, defeating teams from Clarion University, Marist University, the University of Rochester, the United States Military Academy, and Binghamton University. In the quarter-finals, Stacy and Maerowitz defeated Binghamton in a unanimous decision and in the semi-finals, Stacy and Maerowitz defeated City University of New York in a split decision. In the championship debate, Stacy and Maerowitz were defeated by a team from Marist University.
FULTON DEBATE WINS UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS TOURNAMENT (2.2.09)
Boston College won the junior varsity division of the University of Massachusetts Debate Tournament held in Amherst, Massachusetts, during January 31-February 1, 2009. A partial list of schools competing at the tournament included Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Marist University, New York University, the United States Military Academy, the University of Rochester, the University of Vermont, and West Virginia University.
Three Boston college teams dominated the Junior Varsity field by compiling a 15-3 record during the preliminary debates. Ryan Folio '12 and Ken Aruda '10 were the top seeded team with a 6-0 record, Daniel Berkowitz '11 & Sean O'Hara '09 were the second seeded team with a 5-1 record, and Brendan Benedict '12 and Chris Fegan '12 were the 5th seeded team with a 4-2 record.
In the quarter-finals, Folio and Aruda received a bye into the semi-finals. Berkowitz and O'Hara debating on the negative defeated New York University in a unanimous decision, while Benedict and Fegan debating on the affirmative lost to the United States Military Academy.
In the semi-finals, Boston College teams squared off against two teams from the United States Military Academy. Folio and Aruda lost the coin flip and West Point chose the affirmative side and ran a new affirmative plan to repeal wheat subsidies. Berkowitz and O'Hara were locked negative against the other West Point team who ran their old affirmative plan to repeal rice subsidies. Boston College won both debates on unanimous decisions, avoiding the need to hold a final round. This allowed the Fultonians to return to the Heights in time to the Super Bowl.
Matthew Maerowitz '10 and Gabe Stacy '12, debating in the varsity division, also qualified to compete in the elimination rounds. Maerowitz and Stacy debating on the affirmative were defeated in the quarter finals by the University of Rochester Rochester on a narrow 2-1 decision.
Boston College debaters receiving individual speaker recognition included Brendan Benedict (3rd junior varsity speaker), Ryan Folio (7th place junior varsity speaker), Matthew Maerowitz (4th varsity speaker), and Gabe Stacy (6th varsity speaker).
FULTON DEBATE WINS JOHN CARROLL TOURNAMENT (12.9.08)
Boston College won the novice division of the John Carroll University Debate Tournament held in University Heights, Ohio, during December 5-7, 2008. A partial list of schools competing at the tournament included Capital University, Case Western Reserve, Miami University (Ohio), the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University.
Competing in the novice division, Brendan Benedict '12 and Chris Fegan '12 compiled a 4-2 record during the preliminary debates by defeating teams from Wayne State, Capital, and Clarion (twice). Benedict and Fegan received a bye during the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, Benedict & Fegan debating on the affirmative defeated Clarion on a split decision. In the final round, Benedict & Fegan debating on the negative defeated a different Clarion team on a unanimous decision.
Ryan Folio '12 and Ken Aruda '10 also had a successful tournament debating in the novice division. Folio and Aruda were the top seeded novice team, achieving a perfect 6-0 record during the preliminary debates. Folio and Aruda were upset in the semi-finals by Clarion in a 2-1 decision.
Competing in junior varsity, the team of Daniel Berkowitz '11 and Grant Gendron '11 reached the semi-finals where there were defeated by Miami.
In addition to earning team honors, five Boston College debaters won individual speaker awards. In the novice division, Ryan Folio was named the 2nd best speaker, Ken Aruda was named the 5th best speaker, and Brendan Benedict was named the 8th best speaker honors. In the junior varsity division, Daniel Berkowitz was named the 4th best speaker and Grant Gendron was named the 5th best speaker.
John Carroll is the third consecutive tournament won by Fulton Debate (Western Connecticut & Binghamton being the other two), and it concludes our fall tournament travel. Fulton Debate will begin its spring travel by competing at the United States Naval Academy Tournament during January 23-25, 2008.
FULTON DEBATE WINS BINGHAMTON TOURNAMENT (11.24.08)
Boston College won the novice division of the Binghamton University Tournament held in Vestal, New York, during November 22-23, 2008. A partial list of schools competing at the tournament included Cornell University, Dartmouth College, New York University, the United States Military Academy, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Rochester, the University of Vermont, and West Virginia University.
Competing in the novice division, Ryan Folio '12 and Ken Aruda '10 compiled a 4-1 record during the preliminary debates, defeating teams from Western Connecticut State University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Vermont, and the University of Rochester.
During the elimination rounds, Folio & Aruda defeated Massachusetts in the octa-finals on a 3-0 decision. In the quarter-finals, the Fultonians defeated Vermont on a split 2-1 decision. Unfortunately, Folio and Aruda met the other BC novice team of Brenden Benedict '12 and Chris Fegan '12 in the semi-finals. Benedict and Fegan reached the semi-finals by defeating Monmouth University in the octa-finals and by defeating the top seeded team from the United States Military Academy in the quarter-finals. Folio and Aruda advanced to the finals because they were the higher seeded team based on speaker points. Benedict and Fegan were also 4-1 during the preliminary debates.
In the championship debate, Folio and Aruda were locked affirmative against Western Connecticut, a team they had defeated on the negative side during the preliminary debates. As in the preliminary rounds, the Fultonians advocated a plan calling for the repeal of all of the United States' cotton subsidies. On a 2-1 decision, the judges awarded first place honors to Boston College.
Sean O’Hara '09 & Gabe Stacy '12, debating in the varsity division, reached the octa-finals before losing to Cornell University.
Boston College debaters receiving individual speaker recognition included Ryan Folio (2nd place novice speaker), Gabe Stacy (11th varsity speaker), and Ken Aruda (18th novice speaker).
Fulton Debate will conclude its fall semester by debating at the John Carroll University Tournament over the weekend of December 5-7.
DECRIMINALIZING MARIJUANA? A PUBLIC DEBATE OVER WHETHER MASSACHUSETTS SHOULD IMPLEMENT PROPOSITION 2 (11.10.08)
On Tuesday, November 18th, the Fulton Debating Society will hold a public debate over whether the Massachusetts legislature should implement the ballot initiative, Proposition 2, which calls for decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The debate will be held at 7:00 pm in McGuinn Hall, 121.
Debating on the affirmative side arguing against the decriminalization of marijuana will be Kevin Walton '10 and Ryan Malone '10; debating on the negative in favor of decriminalization will be Michael Stork '10 and Kevin Coughlin '09.
After the constructive speeches, the audience members will be given a five minute block of time to direct questions to the debaters.
The debate will last approximately 1 hour and is open to the public.
FULTON DEBATE WINS HAT CITY DEBATES AT WESTERN CONNECTICUT;
FOLIO NAMED TOP SPEAKER (10.28.08)
Boston College won the junior varsity division of the Hat City Debate Tournament held at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut, during October 25-26, 2008. The tournament is named the Hat City Debates because Danbury, during the late 19th century, was the world’s largest manufacturers of hats, making over 5 million per year.
A partial list of schools competing at the tournament includes Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, New York University, the University of Rochester, the University of Vermont, the United States Military Academy, and West Virginia University.
Competing in the junior varsity division, Sean O’Hara '09 and Gabe Stacy '12 compiled a 5-1 record, defeating teams from West Virginia (twice), Cornell University, Marist University, and the University of Rochester. O’Hara and Stacy’s only loss was to Clarion University. During the elimination rounds, Boston College defeated Cornell in the quarter-finals, and Army in the semi-finals. In the final round, Boston College debating on the affirmative side, defeated Clarion University on a 3-0 decision.
Daniel Berkowitz '11 and Kelsey Muraoka '11, also competing in junior varsity, reached the semi-finals. Berkowitz & Muraoka defeated the University of Rochester in the quarter-finals. They were defeated in the semi-finals by Clarion University.
Two Boston College novice teams also turned in very strong performances by going 6-0 during the preliminary rounds and earning the top two seeds. Ryan Folio '12 and Ken Aruda '10 were the top seeded team in the novice division. During the elimination rounds, Folio & Aruda defeated the University of Rochester in the octo-finals, and then lost in a split decision to Cornell in the quarter-finals. Brendan Benedict '12 and Chris Fegan '12 reached the semi-finals in novice, where they lost on a 3-0 decision to West Point. Benedict & Fegan defeated the City University of New York in the octo-finals and the University of Vermont in the quarterfinals.
Five Boston College debaters won individual speaker awards. In the novice division, Ryan Folio earned top speaker honors in a very strong field of thirty-two novice teams. In the junior varsity division, Gabe Stacy won second place honors, Daniel Berkowitz won third place, Sean O’Hara won fifth place, and Kelsey Muraoka won sixth place.
MCCAIN OR OBAMA? PUBLIC DEBATE OVER WHO SHOULD BE ELECTED PRESIDENT (10.20.08)
On Tuesday, October 28th, the Fulton Debating Society will sponsor a public debate over whether Senator Barak Obama or Senator John McCain should be elected the next President of the United States. The debate will be held at 7:00 p.m. in McGuinn Hall 121.
Four members of the Fulton Debating Society will participate in the debate. Debating on the affirmative side arguing in favor of electing Senator Obama will be Ryan Malone '10 and Michael Stork '10. Debating on the negative side arguing in favor of electing Senator McCain will be Kevin Walton '10 and Kevin Coughlin '09.
The winner of the debate will be chosen by a show of hands by the audience.
The debate will last approximately one hour and is open to the public. For additional information, please contact John Katsulas, Director of Debate, at x4298