ACU to serve as host for public debate with Dutch team For Immediate Release Feb. 15, 2000 ACU will serve as host for a public debate between ACU and a visiting Dutch team. The debate will be take place Thursday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Room 201 of the Mabee Business Building on the ACU campus. Jill Tappe, senior communication major from Arlington, and Laura Hurmence, senior communication major from Martell, Iowa, will represent ACU. Ronald van der Heijden and Jan-Pieter Oosterom will represent the Netherlands. The topic of the debate is, "Resolved: That Christianity has Provided More Benefits Than Harms to Society." ACU will be affirming this topic. Dr. Ed Brown, professor emeritus of communication and former debate coach, will critique the debate. In past years ACU has served as host for debates with Russian and Japanese teams. This tour is the first such tour sponsored by the International Public Debate Association. Tappe was the first woman to win an IPDA sponsored tournament in its four year history. Tappe placed third in the nation in novice sweepstakes competition and Hurmence placed sixth. "ACU joins an impressive list of other Texas schools who are serving as host for the Dutch team," said Dr. Jeff Hobbs, associate professor of communication and director of forensics. The other Texas schools include Baylor University, St. Mary's University, Southwest Texas State University and the University of Texas at Austin. Hobbs said by serving as host for this debate, the ACU and Dutch teams can learn something about another culture. He made the decision to apply for this opportunity for two reasons. "This fits in with ACU's emphasis on providing international experiences for the student body," Hobbs said. "I also believe people need to see debates over significant issues in the public sphere." The ACU debate team is currently ranked 7th in the nation according to International Public Debate Association rankings. The debate is open to the public. -30- Archived News Releases - Current ACU News and Events If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact Tom Craig, director of media and community relations, at craigt@acu.edu or call 915-674-2692 (cell phone: 665-5469). Last update: Feb. 15, 2000 This page is maintained by Tom Craig, craigt@acu.edu. http://www.acu.edu/events/news/000215-debate.html