The 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 Chair Leonard A. Gail noted the attributes that JP Morgan Chase brings to the Championship:  “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 lucky and excited to be able 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.”
In conjunction with the Chase 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.

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.  The students will also 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.
 
The tournament will be a wonderful celebration of urban debate. 
 
Kickoff Reception at Chase Tower
 
On November 26th, JP Morgan graciously hosted a Kickoff reception for the Chase Urban Debate National Championship on the 57th Floor of the Chase Tower in Downtown Chicago.  Approximately 100 guests were in attendance.
 
The program included speeches by Arne Duncan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools; CDL Alumnus, Tracy Carson of Morgan Park High School and presently a doctoral student at Oxford University; and current CDL participant, Lee Reed from Walter Payton College Prep.
 
Arne Duncan said: "Chicago Public Schools invest in debate because it works for our students.  Private partnership is an important part of our strategy, as well, and we thank Chase and the other private supporters of urban debate for making many of these excellent programs possible.  We're also proud in Chicago to be hosting the first ever Urban Debate National Championship."