THE NATIONAL PUBLIC DEBATE AWARD

2026 Award Winner - NYU

Public Debate Award

1. THIS AWARD IS GIVEN TO THE INTERCOLLEGIATE DEBATE PROGRAM WHICH, OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST ACADEMIC YEAR, HAS BEST ADVANCED THE VALUES OF DEBATE IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE THROUGH SPONSORSHIP OF ONE OR MORE PUBLIC DEBATE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC DEBATES, MULTIMEDIA DEBATES, PUBLIC DEBATES ON CAMPUS OR FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND THROUGH GENERAL PROMOTION OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE TO PROMOTE CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF PUBLIC ISSUES FOR DIVERSE AND GENERAL AUDIENCES.

2. NOMINEES SHOULD SUBMIT A PORTFOLIO INCLUDING A NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THEIR PUBLIC DEBATE ACTIVITIES. PROGRAMS ARE ALSO ASKED TO SUBMIT SUPPORTING MATERIALS OF THEIR CHOOSING WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE PARTICIPANT LISTS, PUBLICITY AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS, ATTENDANCE FIGURES, TRANSCRIPTS OR RECORDINGS, COMMENDATIONS AND LETTERS OF APPRECIATION, AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS THAT THEY FEEL ARE APPROPRIATE.

3. THE AWARDS COMMITTEE MAY ELECT TO PROVIDE UP TO THREE AWARDS EACH YEAR AND MAY ALSO RECOGNIZE AS MANY HONORABLE MENTION ENTRANTS AS THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE. EACH RECIPIENT AND HONORABLE MENTION WILL RECEIVE RECOGNITION THROUGH LETTERS SENT TO THE APPROPRIATE OFFICERS OF THEIR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.

Previous Awardees

2025 
2024 
2023
New York University, Will Baker, Director
2022
New York University, Will Baker, Director
2021
**Not Awarded ?COVID-19**
2020
Cal State-Long Beach
2019
Weber State, Ryan Wash, Director
2018
University of Rutgers-Newark, Chris Kozak, Director
2017 
2016 
2015 
2014 
2013 
2012
University of North Texas, Brian Lain, Director
2011
James Madison University, Mike Davis, Director
2010
James Madison University, Mike Davis, Director
2009
University of Miami (FL), David Steinberg, Director
2008
University of Miami (FL), David Steinberg, Director
2007
James Madison University, Mike Davis, Director
2006
University of Louisville, Ede Warner, Director
2005
James Madison University, Mike Davis, Director
2004
Western Washington University, Steve Woods, Director
2003
Marist College, Maxwell Schnurer, Director
2002
Vanderbilt University, M.L. Sandoz, Director
2001
University of Vermont, Alfred Snider, Director
2000
University of Pittsburgh, Gordon Mitchell, Director
1999
Claremont College, John Meany, Director
1998
University of Vermont, Alfred Snider, Director