Trinity Introduces New Debate Club

Trinity students will participate in a new kind of competition soon: intercollegiate debates. The College recently formed a debate club with six students led by Diana Wolfson.

Wolfson, who has taught in the communication arts department, initiated the club after gathering student feedback. Wolfson’s debate experience began in 1999 when she taught competitive debate to high school students. She especially enjoys being able to teach debate from a Christian perspective.

“My passion and my mission are to teach Christian students to think critically and communicate confidently in a manner that others will receive,” said Wolfson.

Michael Lautermilch ’15 of Lockport, Illinois, expressed interest in the club right away. As one of Wolfson’s students, he agreed to help finding other interested students.

Lautermilch said he has wanted to join debate competitions since watching his siblings compete a few years ago.  

“Some of the skills they learned amazed me,” he said. “I am looking forward to being able to learn those skills and use them later in life.”

The debate club meets each week and plans to participate in one-day tournaments each month with the goal of entering the state championship at the end of the season.