Dr. Eric Morris, associate professor of communication and coordinator of Missouri State’s award-winning debate team, recently shared the Debate Bears’ latest achievements.

National Debate Tournament

The team of Caitlyn Wicks & Colton Smith received a Second Round At-Large bid to the 2018 National Debate Tournament at Wichita State University.

National Forensic Association (NFA)

Thirteen individual debaters — the second highest number in Missouri State history — qualified for the NFA national competition. They will compete April 18-23.

Qualifiers include: Mikayla Dickerson, Gabe Morrison, Sean Atkins, Kylee Evans, Parker Hopkins, Chase Dobler, Jake West,  Payton Stillman, Derek Allgood, Brayden King, Genevieve Patterson, Hannah Perry and MacKenzie Hutcheson.

Morris said, “The assistance of official coaches, departmental GTAs and alumni has played a critical role in their development.” He recognized Heather Walters, Brenden Brower, Joe Hamaker, Kelsey Devasure, Shawna Merrill and Jeff Bess for their work with this year’s debate team.