Kansas University Debate Uses Billboards to Raise Money

From Robert Rowland comsalum@mail.ku.edu:

I am happy to relay holiday greetings from KU debaters and coaches and the alumni advisory council, along with a message from former coach Dr. Donn W. Parson (the Head Jayhawk for twenty-four years) about past holiday seasons for KU debate.

Over my thirty-six years of association with KU debate, there have been many many great moments. This year and last year have to be at the very top of that list. I cannot adequately convey how excited and happy we were in Lawrence when Brett Bricker and Nate Johnson won the NDT last year. I’ve been reminded of that moment many times over the last eight months by the two giant billboards that KU placed on I70 between Lawrence and Kansas City honoring Brett and Nate and Coach Scott Harris. And I’ve been thrilled every time I saw Brett and Nate in the television spot about KU shown during football and basketball broadcasts. And as you can see from the report from Scott Harris about the season so far, the debate team is having another great year.

There is, however, a major storm cloud on the horizon. While the economic downturn has not required cuts in the debate budget for this year, as former department chair I’ve seen draft budget scenarios calling for major cuts next year. The cuts may approach $10,000 or even more. For a squad that not only didn’t get any increase last year, but that was woefully underfunded compared to similar programs to begin with, these potential cuts can only be labeled as catastrophic.

For KU debate to weather the economic storm and continue to make us proud, additional funds are going to have to be found from somewhere. The only possible source that I can imagine is support from KU Debate alumni.

The good news is that with increased support from debate alumni, the program can continue the tradition of excellence stretching back to the beginning of tournament debate in the United States. What other academic program at KU has consistently been ranked in the top five of all universities? There isn’t one!

Below is information that is also found on the debate website about how to contribute. Online contribution is especially easy. Just remember to specify the name of the fund and the fund number to which you want to contribute. I made my contribution to the Cross-Rowland fund just last week and it took perhaps one minute. I have an enormous debt to KU debate, a debt that I can never pay back, but that I can pay forward by contributing to the program. I hope that many of you will join me in supporting KU debate.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year,

Robin

Robert C. Rowland

Jayhawk Debater, 1973-1977