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KU debate team celebrates national ranking, $1 million endowment
LAWRENCE — Last weekend, the University of Kansas debate team celebrated being ranked No. 1 in the nation and a $1 million endowment raised by debate alumni to support the squad.
Scott Harris, KU’s debate coach, announced Oct. 19 at a debate alumni reunion that last week KU enjoyed the first-place ranking in varsity standings for the National Debate Tournament. Rankings are based on accumulated points made during this semester’s first six tournaments. Official rankings are made at the end of each semester. Rankings change weekly with tournaments across the country.
KU’s debate team has a long and successful history. KU has sent more teams to the National Debate Tournament than any other college or university. By qualifying the past 39 consecutive years, KU has the second-longest active streak of any college or university in the United States. Debaters from KU have won the national title four times and reached the Final Four 13 times.
Seven teams contributed to KU’s No. 1 national rankings. Leading the way are seniors Andrew Jennings and Brett Bricker, who ended the previous season as the third-ranked individual team in the country. In early October, they were selected as the top two individual debaters at an invitational tournament for the top nine teams in the nation at the University of Kentucky.
The team has benefited from decades of strong leadership. Harris was named “Coach of the Year” at the National Debate Tournament in 2006 and 2007. And Donn Parson, professor of communication studies, coached KU’s debate team for 24 years and served 12 years as director of the National Debate Tournament.
In addition to the first-place ranking, the 40 KU debate alumni attending the reunion were equally excited by an official recognition of their success in raising a $1 million endowment fund to support the debate team.
Since 1978, KU’s debate team has been supported in part through private donations made to KU Endowment. The donations provide scholarships and cover travel and other expenses incurred in competing with students from the nation’s top colleges and universities.
The debate endowment fund is managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.
More tournament results are available on the debate team’s Web site.
Debate team members are listed below by hometown, year in school, major, parents’ names and high school, when available.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66049 and Manhattan 66503
Andrew Jack, freshman in chemical engineering, son of Steven Jack of Lawrence and Pamela Jack of Manhattan; Manhattan High School.
JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66206
Sean Kennedy, freshman in linguistics, son of Chris and Joan Kennedy; Shawnee Mission East High School.
Matthew Summers, freshman in environmental studies, son of Maranatha Summers; Shawnee Mission East High School.
From Olathe 66062
Mark Schaukowitch, junior in communication studies and political science, son of Cathy Schaukowitch; St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park.
From Overland Park 66213
Kyle Shernuk, senior in East Asian languages and cultures and pre-medicine, son of Kurt and Pamela Shernuk; Blue Valley Northwest High School.
Chris Thomas, sophomore in political science, son of Denise Thomas; Blue Valley Northwest High School.
From Overland Park 66224
Erum Shah, senior in political science, daughter of Pir and Saieda Shah; Blue Valley Northwest High School.
LABETTE COUNTY
From Parsons 67357 and Joplin, Mo. 64804
Shaun Dwyer, freshman in pre-law, son of Jackie Dwyer of Parsons and Steve Thompson of Joplin, Mo.; Parsons Senior High School.
RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson 67502
Jason Garden, senior in communication studies and political science, son of Bill and Ellen Garden; Buhler High School.
RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Nathan Johnson, senior in philosophy, political science and psychology, son of Ron and Betty Johnson; Manhattan High School.
From Manhattan 66503 and Lawrence 66049
Andrew Jack. See DOUGLAS COUNTY
SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Derby 67037
Christopher Stone, sophomore in political science, son of Douglas and Gloria Stone; Derby High School.
From Wichita 67206
Brett Bricker, senior in mathematics, son of Gary and Norma Bricker; Wichita High School Southeast.
Ronnie Press, junior in political science, son of Arthur and Judith Press; Wichita High School Southeast.
From Wichita 67207
Joel Kasten, sophomore in political science, son of Roger and Leah Kasten; Wichita High School Southeast.
From Wichita 67208 and 67218
Dylan Quigley, sophomore in philosophy, son of Tim Quigley (67218) and Trix Niemberger (67208); Wichita High School East.
From Wichita 67218
Kai Davis, freshman in political science, son of John Davis; Wichita High School Southeast.
Mathew Peterson, freshman in economics, son of Laura Peterson-Miller and Virgil Miller; Wichita High School East.
SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Silver Lake 66539
Andrew Jennings, junior in political science, son of Joe and Kathy Jennings; Silver Lake Junior-Senior High School.
From Topeka 66604 and 66610
Mark Wilkins, freshman in political science, son of Brent Wilkins (66610) and Janis Hinkle (66604); Washburn Rural High School.
MISSOURI
From Joplin 64804 and Parsons, Kan. 67357
Shaun Dwyer. See LABETTE COUNTY
TEXAS
From Austin 78729
Darren Frazee, freshman in sociology, son of William and Karen Frazee; McNeil High School.
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