ATU Debate Team includes Alana Flenory of Hope

RUSSELLVILLE – Four returnees and seven new members constitute the Arkansas Tech University speech and debate team for the fall 2024 semester.

Jacob Causey of Russellville, Emily Joshlin of Cabot, Stephanie Littlefield of Dover and Jaina Perry of Alma are back with the program this year. They are joined by newcomers Tristan Allen of Glenwood, Parker Byrd of Sherwood, Alana Flenory of Hope, Jasper Millsaps of Dover, Tess Robertson of Wynne, Samantha Wojtowicz of Forney, Texas, and Kaleb Young of Batesville.

Dr. Gabriel L. Adkins, ATU professor of communication studies, serves as program director and head coach. Carson Davis, an ATU graduate student and administrative assistant in the ATU Office of Admissions, is the team’s assistant coach.

Adkins shared that the group operates under five team principles: academic excellence, civic civility, ethical integrity, collaborative teamwork and competitive success.

The team members will deploy those principles in a series of four tournaments during the fall 2024 semester. The ATU speech and debate team will compete in a virtual event hosted by the University of Arkansas Oct. 4-6 before traveling to the University of Central Missouri (Oct. 11-13) and Tulsa Community College (Oct. 25-27). The fall season will conclude with a tournament hosted by ATU Nov. 15-17.

Adkins said the program is gearing up to host the 2027 International Public Debate Association National Tournament and Convention at Arkansas Tech.