NAUDL National Dinner – April 5, 2008
The first annual NAUDL National Dinner will take place Saturday,
April 5, 2008, at the historic University Club of Chicago.
Guests attending the National Dinner will celebrate the urban debate
movement – its storied history, its vibrant present and its
ambitious plans for future growth. As part of that recognition,
Emory University’s Melissa Wade will be honored as the first
recipient of the “National Urban Debate Champion” award,
for her pioneering efforts to develop and spread urban debate throughout
the country.
The National Dinner is an important part of the Chase Urban Debate
National Championship weekend. National Dinner patrons will
have a unique opportunity to watch today’s urban debaters in
action and to honor the first Chase Urban Debate National Champions
and Top Speakers.
The National Dinner program will feature keynote speaker Patrick J.
Fitzgerald, in a rare public appearance. Mr. Fitzgerald is currently
the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
His impressive career includes the prosecution and conviction, together
with NAUDL Board Member and now federal judge Kenneth M. Karas, of
the individuals responsible for the 1998 bombings of the United States
Embassies in Kenya, and Tanzania. Among those Mr. Fitzgerald
indicted and convicted long before September 11, 2001, was Osama bin
Laden. More recently,
Mr. Fitzgerald was appointed and served as Department of Justice Special
Counsel to investigate the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame’s
name to columnist Robert Novak. The investigation resulted in
the indictment and conviction of Lewis “Scooter” Libby,
former Chief of Staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.
Overlooking Chicago’s new Millennium Park, the University Club
is one of the premier gathering spots in the city. Established
in 1887 by university graduates who wanted a special place where they
could enjoy intellectual pursuits, the 14-story structure has provided
a stimulating social and cultural environment for generations.
The University Club’s stated goal is a simple one: To
create “an atmosphere in which excellence thrives.” The
National Dinner will be held in Cathedral Hall and appropriately underneath
the crests of many of the country's finest Colleges and Universities
that adorn that the venue.
The NAUDL is currently taking reservations for tables and discussing
other sponsorship opportunities. Individual tickets will be
made available after table sales are complete. Consider sharing
a table with friends, clients, and former debate colleagues.
Contact NAUDL Board Chair Lenny Gail directly at LennyGail@urbandebate.org
to make reservations. A block of hotel rooms has been reserved
at the University Club for out-of-town guests.
Please join us for a stimulating evening of entertainment, friendship,
and philanthropy! "
