NAUDL Announces First Annual Chase Urban Debate National Championship

We are thrilled to announce that the NAUDL will host the first annual Chase Urban Debate National Championship in Chicago, Illinois, on April 3-6, 2008. The Championship will bring together approximately 70 outstanding high school students, accomplished coaches, and dedicated administrators from nearly 20 Urban Debate Leagues around the country for a weekend of competition, conferencing, and community.

The JP Morgan Chase Foundation has graciously agreed to underwrite the expenses of hosting the tournament through a generous grant. “We are extremely excited to sponsor the Urban Debate National Championship with the NAUDL. This program is consistent with our Foundation’s long history of promoting educational excellence and of helping students prepare for and gain access to college,” said Kimberly B. Davis, Senior Vice President, Global Philanthropy, and President of the JP Morgan Chase Foundation. “JP Morgan Chase is also working with the NAUDL to provide support for urban debate in a variety of other ways including by engaging our employees in these wonderful efforts. We look forward to a substantial, long-term partnership.”

NAUDL Board of Directors Chair Leonard A. Gail noted the qualities that JP Morgan Chase brings to the Championship tournament. “The Board and Staff of the NAUDL are delighted that JP Morgan Chase has agreed to sponsor the first ever urban debate National Championship. Their interest in and support of urban education is longstanding. We are excited to benefit from their expertise and experience to help the NAUDL use the tournament as a platform to create additional debate opportunities for urban students.”

During the National Championship weekend, on Saturday April 5, the NAUDL will host its first annual National Dinner. Guests will gather at the University Club of Chicago, overlooking the city’s new Millennium Park. Special Counsel and United States Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald will deliver the Keynote Address in a rare public appearance. The NAUDL will honor Emory University’s Melissa Wade for her pioneering efforts to develop and spread Urban Debate throughout the country. Reservations for tables at the National Dinner can be made at this time by contacting LennyGail@urbandebate.org.

In conjunction with the Urban Debate National Championship, the NAUDL will host a series of conferences for students, coaches and administrators. Students will attend college and career preparation sessions while coaches and administrators will participate in professional development meetings and engage in problem-solving conversations on important issues facing UDLs.

The Northwestern University School of Law will host the competition at their downtown Chicago campus. This central location will allow participants to see the city and experience its cultural institutions. Championship participants are scheduled to dine at The National Museum of Mexican Art, the nation’s largest Latino arts institution and the only Latino museum accredited by the American Association of Museums. They are also slotted to visit Chicago’s interactive Freedom Museum, which highlights the struggle for freedom in the United States and the role the First Amendment plays in our lives.