Freshman Jason Abate found his passion for debate during an event organized by the Fairfield University Debate Society.
“I decided to attend a meeting, where a Fairfield alumnus and attorney came to speak to everyone about how to argue and be confident in your arguments,” said Jason Abate. “I realized after getting back to my room that night that I had found a passion in debating.”
President Matthew Rotondaro ‘16 and other varsity members of the Fairfield debate society made the trip to the College of New Jersey this past Saturday to attend their second debate of the school year. The group debated against schools such as Princeton, Fordham, Rutgers and George Washington University.
Having established an official team of varsity debaters to travel to tournaments at different colleges for the rest of the spring semester and hopefully, years to come, the club’s main objective is gaining more members.
“We have a solid varsity team that’s going to continue to develop and grow,” said Rotondaro. “Our goal at this point is to become a regular presence at these tournaments.”
The debate society has now built up to 30 members, ranging from all different grades. Members are given the opportunity to both enhance their public speaking skills, as well as put together concise, powerful arguments.
Students are encouraged to expand their skills and prepare for the debate tournaments at biweekly meetings held every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. in Canisius 101.
However, while it has a consistent student base, the debate society is striving for more members.
The club plans on having guest speakers at meetings in the future as a way to entice students to attend and gain an interest in debate. Rotondaro has also formed a welcoming community to all students who wish to start debating even if it is new to them.
“Matt Rotondaro is a phenomenal leader who is making the club open to anyone and was the reason why I felt so comfortable coming in because he wasn’t just happy I joined, but rather sought to point out my strengths so I can further develop them,” said Abate. “His vision for this society in the future is exactly what I hope to become a part of, and it is an honor and a blessing to help further the development of the club in the coming years.”
Another way that Fairfield’s debate society plans to gain more student attention around campus is by holding more faculty debates similar to the one held last semester between Rev. Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J. and Dr. Ronald Salafia.
Rotondaro, along with his club members, are planning the next faculty debate for either March or April and have a few professors in mind to debate on a certain topic as part of a large event.
“Those kinds of events help our name,” said Rotondaro about faculty debates. “They help us to branch out to the University so people know that there is a debate team.”
The Fairfield debate society will travel to Rutgers this coming weekend to take part in another tournament debate in an attempt to gain more recognition and become better as debaters.
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