Posted by Mary Wimberley on 2008-02-27

A Samford University debate team has qualified for the prestigious National Debate Tournament, and the entire Samford debate contingent named best squad in the southeast.

Debaters Logan Gramzinski and Erin Ramsey qualified for the national tournament by an outstanding showing at a regional tournament that serves as a district qualifier.

Gramzinski and Ramsey finished fifth among the 39 teams from 13 schools at the regional meet, held Feb. 22-24 at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Ga. They will be among seven teams from southeastern schools to vie for national honors.

The national tournament will be held March 28-31 at California State University at Fullerton.

During awards presentations, Gramzinski and Ramsey were named 2007-08 top varsity team in the Southeast Central region. The six-member Samford squad was named top overall squad in the region.

Samford's Nick Agnello was named regional individual debater of the year. Jayme Cloninger and Josh Smith were named the region's top junior varsity team.

Abi Williams is Samford debate coach.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.