MSU Debate

09/09/2026

It’s that time again – MSU Debate starts our 2026-2027 season this week!

Debaters returned to campus early to prepare and have been busy researching the year-long topic about arms sales. Debaters on the team have a wide variety of academic interests and we have representatives from colleges across campus including the College of Social Science, James Madison College, the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Natural Science, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, and the College of Social Science.

P.S. You can now purchase your very own MSU Debate t-shirt from the Spartan Spirit Shop https://bit.ly/msudebatetshirt

📷: Joey Paras

05/15/2026

FREE RESOURCES for high school debaters and coaches getting started on the national health insurance topic!

We worked to opensource a series of free introduction lectures about the topic from Maggie Berthiaume, the Director of Debate at Woodward Academy.

This three part series covers background on health insurance in the US, common affirmative arguments on the topic, and likely negative arguments.

This lecture series from Maggie Berthiaume, Director of Debate at Woodward Academy, covers some key concepts within in the 2026-2027 policy debate topic abou...

05/01/2026

These MSU Debate graduates know how to leave a legacy.

Behind all the trophies and national tournaments are exceptional hard work and heart.

Check out farewell messages from Arielle Gearring, Joanna Gusis, and Glen Scully.

They say good things come in threes, and this trio came with uncommon will. They'll be leaving behind a lasting positive impact.

📷:
🎨: .tate

04/21/2026

Glen Scully has added a new chapter to the Spartan history books.

The MSU Debate student, along with his teammate Zaria Jarman, won the Front Royal Cup at the American Debate Association national tournament.

It's the first time a Spartan team has won the award.

"Debate in itself is a partnership activity, but everyone on the MSU debate team is so positive constantly. They put in so much work to get the job done," Scully said in an interview with 23ABC Bakersfield.

He said competitive debate has prepared his research, critical thinking, and communication skills for the workforce.

"You don’t have infinite time to speak your thoughts. You need to think of them quickly and get them out as soon as possible. Which means you have to always be able to think of your feet and be able to improvise whatever is going on given your current knowledge,” Scully said.

Many students discover their paths at MSU. Scully has blazed a trail, empowering and encouraging teammates along the way.

MSU Debate is housed within the Honors College.

04/20/2026

For the first time in ten years, a team from Michigan State University Debate reached the Elite Eight at the National Debate Tournament (NDT)!

Joanna Gusis – a fourth-year Honors College student majoring in statistics, as well as political theory and constitutional democracy – and Stephen Lewis – a third-year student majoring in social relations and policy – made a run to the quarterfinals. In addition, out of over 150 participants, Stephen was the tournament’s thirteenth overall speaker and Joanna was eighth.

The Spartans were represented at the NDT by three two-person teams (an honor granted to only six of the top schools in the country) including:
💚 Arielle Gearring – a fourth-year political theory and constitutional democracy student and – Hina Shehzad – a third-year international relations junior
💚 Isabella Foster – a first-year Honors College student majoring in philosophy and film – and Henry Martin – a first-year Honors College student majoring in physics and philosophy

By Carly Watson and Melanie Brender For the first time in ten years, a team from Michigan State University Debate reached the Elite Eight at the National Debate Tournament (NDT).

03/15/2026

For the first time in program history, a member of MSU Debate received the Julia Burke Award!

Joanna Gusis received the award, which is given to an outstanding debater who most clearly exhibits a passion for debate, a commitment to helping others, love and respect for the debate community, and dedication to maintaining friendships despite the pressures of competition.

Gusis – a fourth-year Honors College student majoring in statistics, as well as political theory and constitutional democracy – was selected as a finalist by the Julia Burke Foundation award committee. Participants at the ADA National Championship then voted for the award recipient from the list of three finalists.

You can read more about it here: https://debate.msu.edu/msu-debates-joanna-gusis-wins-top-award/

03/11/2026

MSU Debate won the Front Royal Cup for the first time in program history!

Zaria Jarman, a Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy junior, and Glen Scully, a computer science senior, placed first in the season-long rankings and Henry Martin, a physics and philosophy first-year student in the Honors College, and Isabella Foster, a philosophy and film first-year student in the Honors College, placed second in the rankings.

MSU Debate also had three teams in elimination rounds at ADA Nationals and you can read the full tournament debrief here: https://debate.msu.edu/ada26/

03/11/2026

There's a few hours left in Give Green Day and anything helps! Thanks to all of your support so far, we're less than $1000 away from reaching our goal. Projects unlock bonsuses for number of donors, first time donors, student/parent donors, and more so your gift today has an even bigger impact 💚

Gifts will be used in a manner that is open to all without restriction or preference based on race, s*x, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity.

03/10/2026

It’s Give Green Day and we couldn’t let it pass without an infomercial!

As the team continues to succeed and grow, the vast majority of our expenses come from travel and competition costs. That's why our Give Green Day project this year is to fund team operations.

https://givingto.msu.edu/causes-to-support/crowdpower/msu-debate

03/03/2026

MSU Debate is going to have THREE TEAMS at the Big Dance!

Only six teams in the country are permitted to have three teams compete at the National Debate Tournament (NDT) and MSU will be one of them this year.

MSU will be represented by:
💚 MSU GS - Arielle Gearring, a Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy senior, and Hina Shehzad, an International Relations junior
💚 MSU FM - Isabella Foster, a philosophy and film first year in the Honors College, and Henry Martin, a physics and philosophy first year in the Honors College
💚 MSU GL - Joanna Gusis, a Statistics and Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy senior in the Honors College, and Stephen Lewis, a Social Relations and Policy junior