Warren Debate Union
Learn about the debate team at the University of Mississippi.
Be intuitive, be creative, be brilliant.
The Ty R. Warren Debate Union, a body of undergraduate students, engages global communication through British Parliamentary/Worlds Style Debate on campus, within our region, nationally, and around the globe.
The Warren Debate Union has deep roots on campus. Speech and debate activities have occurred under the WDU since the 1970s, when the program was founded by Ty Warren. The team's trophy case on the third floor of Lamar Hall tells the story of the WDU's growth and success. Since its founding, the WDU has maintained a tradition of excellence for over forty years.
Joining the Warren Debate Union (WDU) is a fantastic way to:
- improve your speaking and research skills
- make friends with likeminded students that love arguing
- travel to amazing locations across the nation
- have fun
Now housed under the Department of Writing and Rhetoric at The University of Mississippi, the Warren Debate Union challenges students of all majors and backgrounds to think critically and improve their communication skills through debate and public speaking. Staging the debate on campus through their involvement and providing opportunities for public engagement annually, the Warren Debate Union is proud to host an annual high school invitational tournament recognized by the Mississippi High School Activities Association, the National Speech and Debate Association, and the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions; assist in the development and annual operation of Speaker’s Edge, a competitive speaking event for our MBA, Masters in Accountancy, and Juris Doctor Programs; and present public debates for the evaluation of the Lafayette-Oxford-University community.
In recent years, the WDU has represented the University proudly at competitions hosted in Anchorage (Alaska), Denver (Colorado), Miami (Florida), Nashville (Tennessee), Portland (Oregon), and Seattle (Washington). Encouraging others to speak to their passions, members of the Warren Debate Union lead by example. The WDU also holds joint events with other debate teams in our region, including Vanderbilt University and Rust College.
Warren Debate Union in the News
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Ole Miss Debate Team Shines at National Championship Tournament
Students in the University of Mississippi Warren Debate Union finished their 2024-2025 season among the top teams in the nation.
Read the Ole Miss News Story -
UM Team Wins Debate Tournament
Just months after the Ole Miss Rebels won the 2022 College World Series in baseball, another team representing the University of Mississippi has won a national tournament. The university’s Warren Debate Union took first place in the national competition hosted by Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.
Read the Ole Miss News Story -
UM team places in top 4 at national debate championship tournament
Debaters representing the University of Mississippi recently were finalists at a national championship tournament hosted by the University of Alaska at Anchorage. Members of the Warren Debate Union earned a Top 4 finalist finish at the league's inaugural in-person competition.
Read the Oxford Eagle Story -
Warren Debate Union Prepares for Campus Public Debate
University of Mississippi community members listened and engaged in competitive arguments surrounding Mississippi’s political system, when the Warren Debate Union presented its Democracy Debate.
Read the Ole Miss News Story
Debate FAQs
Speech 314 is offered every spring semester. This class teaches the fundamentals of decision-making and critical thinking through exploring debate, specifically Worlds Style British Parliamentary (BP) Debate. The focus of the class is on researching, organizing, preparing, and delivering oral presentations in a competitive and limited preparation environment. The class covers the basics of argumentation theory, provides numerous opportunities for practice debates, and dives into the details of important political debates in the United States (economics, foreign policy, social media, etc.).
SPCH 314 is a student-centered class that is tailored to the needs and goals of each individual student. Working closely with the instructor, students identify areas for improvement in their presentation skills and work to refine them throughout the semester, with many opportunities for tailored and personalized mentoring.
The class is highly recommended to anybody looking for a fun and rewarding elective class, to students interested in participating on the University of Mississippi debate team, and to anyone who enjoys arguing and debating. The research and presentation skills emphasized by SPCH 314 are helpful to students of all majors.
Stay Connected with the Warren Debate Union!
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