AGNR faculty open up discussions about forming debate team at UMD
Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg
A group of instructors from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is looking to spark a little lively debate at the University of Maryland.
Faculty members from the Institute for Applied Agriculture who teach oral communications, now a general education requirement at UMD, are hoping to form a new student forensics team. (Pictured: IAA Oral Communications Instructors Ed Priola (far left), Nina LaTassa and Tony Pagnotti. Image credit: Diana Velasquez-Munoz)
In October a group of feisty freshmen came to Symons Hall to engage in debate discussion with IAA oral communication lecturer Nina LaTassa, who spoke about the possibility of participating competitively against other East-coast colleges and universities in areas like persuasion, impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and Lincoln-Douglas debate.
“The Oral Communication faculty is thrilled to start a new team on campus,” said LaTassa. “These kids are really talented.”
“Debate is important for our students to learn because it teaches them to use soft words and hard arguments,” said fellow IAA lecturer Ed Priola, who also attended the meeting.
Among the students eager to take talking to a higher level were Alek Berger, Kelsey Lawley, and Ji-Yoon Song. “I’m looking forward to becoming a better debater!” said Lawley. Adds Berger: “I just can’t wait to get a chance to use my communication skills and to meet new people at the same time!”
Students getting involved with the new forensics and debate team could have the opportunity to travel to places such as Philadelphia and New York. Currently, the oral communication coaches are grooming the group for its first speech tournament scheduled to take place March 1-2 in Ocean City, MD.
“Forensics can definitely be fun. All are welcome to get in on the ground level of this effort. No prior debating experience is required,” said IAA oral communications lecturer Tony Pagnotti. “It’s a great training ground for students who are looking to further enhance their public communication skills.”
Ready to talk like a Terp? Email Nina LaTassa nlatassa@umd.edu for information about participating on the forensics team.
