Prestigious Cambridge Union Debaters, Bryant students to take part in evening of civil discourse

Members from world’s oldest debating society will visit campus April 8 to debate with Bryant’s Omicron Delta Kappa students about benefits of technology to society.

When sitting down to writing an argument paper, Kelsey Roy ’10 (Merrimack, NH) can meticulously plan how to make the most persuasive points and counter-points. During a face-to-face debate, however, the stakes change.

“In a debate you cannot always predict what the other team might say next,” she says.

Roy will have the opportunity to sharpen her debate skills as she joins fellow members of Bryant’s chapter of the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) leadership honor society in a night of civil discourse with the prestigious Cambridge Union Debaters. The program takes place on Thursday, April 8, at 7 pm in the Stepan Grand Hall in the Bello Center.

The event is free and open to the public but tickets are required. Members of the Bryant Community can pick up their tickets in the Center for Student Involvement on the third floor of the Bryant Center. The general public can reserve tickets beginning Monday, April 5, by calling (401) 232-6160.

“I think participating in this program will help sharpen my skill of thinking quickly on my feet and my ability to argue a case,” says Roy.

The Parliamentary debate examines the motion: “This house believes that technology has helped our society.” Each team will consist of two Bryant students and two members of the Cambridge Union Debaters. Roy and Nick Kraver ’11 (West Springfield, MA) will argue the proposition that technology has helped society. Fellow ODK members Emiliano Omeri ’10 (Waterbury, CT) and Tom Pagliarini ’11 (North Providence, RI) will present the opposition.

Jessica Komoroski ’11 (West Islip, NY) and Drew Green ’10 (South Hadley, MA) will serve as moderators for the event. (Learn more about Omicron Delta Kappa or the Cambridge Union Debaters.)

Clear and convincing

Kraver has never been part of a formal debate but he has spoken in front of crowds quite a few times. As part of his preparation, Kraver has practiced his arguments on his friends to help remind him to slow down and articulate when he is speaking. Kraver promises it will be an entertaining evening.

“A big part of this is being serious, yet funny,” he says. “I think this provides a unique way to tie humor in while attempting to convey a point.”

Omeri says he got involved because he could not turn down the opportunity to be trained by world-class debaters.

“Learning how to debate and look at both sides of an issue is a critical skill for any job,” says Omeri, an accounting and economics double concentrator. “This will be very important when I need to make my points clear and convince people to believe in my ideas.”

For Pagliarini, this experience will simulate what he will face in law school. “The ability to clearly articulate your arguments and quickly react to opposing views is critical to practicing the law,” he says.

Learning to understand

At the beginning of the evening, Green and Komoroski will provide an overview for the debate and briefly present both sides of the argument. Throughout the program, they will poll the audience members to see if their opinions are being swayed, and they will ultimately choose the winning side at the end of the debate.

The moderators also vow to add an extra layer of levity by getting the audience involved and playfully poking fun at both the positive and negative aspects of technology.

Green, the former vice president of the Bryant Debaters, says he hopes the crowd learns how entertaining and enlightening a debate can be.

“Debates are a great forum for learning to understand different perspectives from diverse individuals,” he explains. “They are a great way to foster communication about a variety of topics, and let everyone’s voice be heard.”

“This is a good opportunity to welcome people from a different culture to the community we’ve created here at Bryant,” continues Komoroski, who encourages people to come out to support the dedication of the Bryant students.

“There are so many things to consider when preparing your argument,” she marveled. “There has been a lot of research and discussions between both sides in order to help them prepare. This is no easy task they have taken on.”

Omicron Delta Kappa Executive Board

President: Jeff Steacie '10 (Bellingham, MA)
Vice President: Cailin Rocco '10 (Sandisfield, MA)
Treasurer: Christine Hayden '10 (Garnerville, NY)
Secretary: Danny Hackenson '10 (Webster, MA)
Faculty Secretary: Rich Hurley '04, Center for Student Involvement Assistant Director