Seawolf debaters compete with Europe's best

The Seawolf Debate Team traveled to Cologne, Germany, over spring break for the Tilbury House Intervarsity competition. This is the second time the Seawolves have ventured overseas this season.

The Tilbury IV is a staple of the European debating circuit, as attested to by the presence of 35 teams from Cambridge, Manchester, Moscow Law, Turkey and Bulgaria. Over the course of the week, debaters engaged one another on controversial topics such as whether celebrities should receive stiffer penalties for crimes than ordinary citizens; whether politicians should be required to give up all private business interests; whether governments should ban the production, distribution and possession of pornography; and whether democracies should be required to hold a public referendum before committing military troops to wars not directly related to a nation's self-defense.

One of UAA's students, last year's Cabin Fever Debates champion, Severin Randall (junior, philosophy) proved her ability to compete with the best of the best. At the conclusion of the tournament, she was named the tournament's 10th Place Speaker in debating competition, placing her among the likes of the reigning European Champion from Cambridge.

For more information on the Seawolf Debate Team, contact Steve Johnson at (907) 786-4391 or Shawn Briscoe (907) 786-4354. You may also visit the team's Web site at www.uaa.alaska.edu/seawolfdebate/.