The William Pitt Debating Union (WPDU) kept the conversation flowing throughout the week of October 20, hosting a series of events that celebrated academic freedom, the team’s competitive excellence, and the power of public dialogue.
WPDU Week kicked off on October 20 with the City Debate, featuring teams from Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Penn State University, and our own University of Pittsburgh. Pitt emerged victorious, debating a wide variety of topics from “Should the United States pass the CLEAN Elections Act?” to “Are the Steelers Pennsylvania’s most important professional sports team?” This adds yet another win to the WPDU’s undefeated streak for this academic year.
On October 21, the WPDU welcomed Dr. Bradford Vivian, Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University, for a lecture titled “Campus Misinformation: A Lecture on Academic Freedom.” Dr. Vivian examined the complex intersections between misinformation, academic freedom, and civic responsibility, sparking thoughtful discussion among students and faculty.
WPDU Week culminated on October 23 with the Speech and Debate Showcase. The event highlighted the dynamic talents of the WPDU through a range of performances across both competitive sectors. Speeches included extemporaneous speaking from Natalie Rose, After Dinner Speaking from Zoë Smith, and a Prose performance from Mia Stack. The evening concluded with a spirited debate between teammates Cate Haigh, McKinley Cherrier, Henry Anastasi, Santino Balistrieri, Andrew Fisher, and Sharanya Nair. All nine students exemplified the professionalism, performance, and preparation that has created the WPDU’s national reputation for excellence. The showcase brought together more than 70 students and community members, underscoring both the growing interest in collegiate speech and debate on campus and the importance of maintaining spaces for constructive and informed discourse.
Under the direction of Dr. Al Primack of Pitt’s Department of Communication, the WPDU continues to use these events as opportunities to educate students and the public; accessible events like this teach both the art of speech and debate while encouraging open dialogue on campus. As the year continues, the WPDU remains committed to these public displays of higher education and their community value.