St. John’s University students debate Irish champions in campus events
St. John’s University students participated in debates against top student debaters from Ireland during matches held at the university’s Queens and Manhattan campuses on April 13 and 14, according to a May 1 announcement.
The events were part of The Irish Times Debate Championship Tour, which starts with about 300 competitors in Ireland and ends with three winners who visit U.S. universities for friendly competitions. The purpose of these debates is to teach students how to use arguments effectively, challenge assumptions, and learn how to engage audiences that may not already agree with them.
Stephen M. Llano, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Rhetoric in the Department of Communication Studies at St. John’s University, helped organize the program. “The Irish Times Debate Tour is a vital reminder that the university does not exist just to fill our minds with facts. It exists to show us what to do with facts and information, how to use them to reach one another in eloquent moments to find agreement and disagreement, and build our shared future.”
Students debated whether the United States should return to a policy of isolationism using a parliamentary-style format that included alternating speeches and live challenges from opponents. Audience members gave their opinions before and after each debate; initial uncertainty shifted toward divided opinions by the end.
Most St. John’s participants had only taken Public Speaking or Global Debate core courses but no formal intercollegiate debate experience or training beyond high school mooting contests or similar activities, Llano said: “They have no other experience debating, nor have they done any intercollegiate debate,” he said. “Two of them have participated in high school mooting contests or equivalent.” Despite this limited background compared with two regulars from the Irish Times team who are active on the debate circuit, St. John’s students performed confidently under pressure.
Senior Arianna Santos said she saw debating as an opportunity for growth: “I enjoy pushing myself to do things that make me uncomfortable… It’s about pushing the boundaries of how people think.” She added: “People tend to lock themselves in an echo chamber. Debate forces you to entertain different opinions.” Nicole Varriale described her motivation for studying law: “I’ve always been good at articulating myself… My voice is my most powerful tool… I love advocating for others.” Yusuf Ozmen explained his enthusiasm: “I love familiarizing myself with material… I thought why not go head-to-head with the best of Ireland?”
Irish participants also shared their experiences developing skills through debate; Cian Carew described joining his law school society “for fun,” while Roisin McCormack spoke about rekindling her interest through this competition after secondary school involvement. Athena Wu reflected on personal growth through debating: “It makes me think more about what I believe because I’m always confronted with the other side… It has changed everything about me.” Llano concluded by emphasizing how debates can challenge preconceptions: “Debate can dissolve or loosen that a bit.” He added: “The quality of our students’ performance was so impressive.”
St. John’s University supports initiatives focused on multicultural efforts locally and globally through its centers and institutes according to its official website. The university features campuses in Queens and Manhattan as well as international sites in Rome, Paris, and Limerick according to its official website. As a Catholic institution affiliated with the Vincentian Community dedicated to liberal arts education, it offers more than 100 undergraduate majors across six schools according to its official website. Rev. Brian J. Shanley serves as president according to its official website.
