UGA wins Regents Cup Debate Series

photo of four people, one holding a trophy
By:
Alan Flurry
The Georgia Debate Union won the overall team title at this year's Regents Cup Debate Tournament on Thursday, April 17. The Regents Cup was created by Chancellor Sonny Perdue in 2024 to support civil dialogue and debate amongst USG colleges and universities. The competition was hosted by the University System of Georgia at Middle Georgia State University in Macon. 
 
The Georgia Debate Union is housed in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences department of communication studies.
 
The debate series, which launched in 2024 with six participating institutions, is intended to highlight how USG students can communicate and articulate from different perspectives in a persuasive, respectful way. The students competed in three rounds of debate, followed by semi-final and final rounds, using the International Public Debate Association structure.
 
UGA senior Lewis Cuello had a perfect preliminary round record and took second place. Sophomore Alexander Glover also had a perfect preliminary round record. Their dual success led to UGA winning the overall team trophy.
 
“In debate we learn to approach conversation with intentionality, recognizing that discussing consequential ideas is a weighty endeavor," Glover said. "It is our responsibility as stewards of Georgia's great academic and civic tradition to learn to send ideas into conflict, not people.” 
 
Last year's individual winner, Senior Ansley Warnock, was in attendance to help coach the team. Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Director of Debate Bjørn Stillion Southard also assisted in coaching and judging at the event.
 
"This is a great event to bring USG schools together under the banner of debate," Southard said. "The variety of judges and audience members—regents, state senators and representatives, USG system leaders, and faculty—make this tournament unlike anything we do all year. It is challenging and gratifying. I am proud of our debaters who showed how to adapt and engage with their opponents and with the audience. Lewis and Alexander did a remarkable job, with Ansley providing wise counsel along the way."
 
The judges for the event included State Representative Carter Barrett, State Senator Chuck Payne, Regent Deep Shah, and Regent Haynes Studstill.
 
Image: From left: Lewis Cuello, Ansley Warnock, Alexander Glover, and Bjørn Stillion Southard.


 

 
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