THE AWARD ACKNOWLEDGES THE CONTRIBUTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL DURING THE PAST YEAR THAT MADE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLIC DISCOURSE ON MATTERS OF SOCIAL IMPORT. THE AWARD RECIPIENT NEED NOT HAVE A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP TO INTERCOLLEGIATE DEBATE, BUT MUST BE SOMEONE WHO HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
| 2025 | Willie Johnson, Rutgers |
| 2024 | Shanara Reid-Brinkley, Cal State Fullerton |
| 2023 | Rob Glass, University of Houston |
| 2022 | Jackie Poapst, George Mason University |
| 2021 | Samantha Godbey, West Virginia University |
| 2020 | Canceled due to COVID-19 |
| 2019 | Deven Cooper, Cal State Long Beach |
| 2018 | Puget Sound Debate |
| 2017 | Johnson County Community College |
| 2016 | Joe Schatz, Binghamton |
| 2015 | Wichita State University Debate |
| 2014 | Brian Delong, Indiana |
| 2013 | Sarah Partlow-Lefevre, Idaho State |
