The Forensics and Debate Club at ETSU re-formed in 2005 and offers students an open environment in which they can have their voices heard as well as learn important social skills that benefit them both personally and academically. The club focuses on competing in debate tournaments as well as hosting speaking events that ETSU students can get involved in on campus.The type of forensics and debate that the club participates in covers a wide variety of public-speaking techniques including parliamentary debate, poetry interpretation, informative and persuasive speeches and impromptu arguments says debate club adviser Laughton Messmer.

While some students might be hesitant to volunteer for public speaking, joining the debate club does not necessarily mean participating in public speaking events.

“I want to stress the openness of the club,” says Laughton Messmer, who started out as the club co-coach. “Our club is unique in that joining the club does not necessarily mean participating in debates.

“Anyone who wants to learn or practice is welcome,” says Messmer. “Students are welcome to observe what we do and take away from that a certain amount of knowledge about public speaking that they might not have had otherwise.”

Along with its openness, Messmer is encouraged, he said, by the many different types of students coming together in the club. “So many different majors with different backgrounds and perspectives participate but the students come together and develop a camaraderie,” Messmer says.

These differing perspectives have served the debate club well, bringing numerous awards from state competitions such as the Smoky Mountain Tournament and the Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensics Association. Recently competing in the Smoky Mountain Tournament, the club won two awards. Zack Walden placed fifth as a speaker while David Testerman took second place in the finals.

Aside from being award-winning, the debate club is a platform for offering students communication and reasoning skills, Messmer says.

“Debate definitely makes you think on your toes,” says debate club president Alliese Forsman. “If I have learned nothing else, I have learned how to think quickly.”

Additionally, the debate club has been instrumental in her academic career, says Forsman, an ETSU senior. “Practicing with the team and going to tournaments has improved my confidence to speak in front of an audience, especially about real world issues,” she says.

Students interested in debate are invited to participate in this December’s Speak-Out. The club hosts the event each year for all ETSU students who want to deliver persuasive or informative speeches. Prizes are awarded to the top three speakers. This year’s Speak-Out will be on Dec. 9.

Students are also encouraged to drop by Room 102 in the Campus Center Building on Thursday nights at 5 p.m. to participate or observe club meetings. The club will be participating in the Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensics Association tournament next February.

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