CSU, Chico News

Kylie Robertson, a senior speech communication major in the Communication Arts and Sciences Department, has been honored by regional and national organizations for her academic excellence and argumentation skills.

At the Cross Examination Debate Association National Tournament, held at CSU, Fullerton in early April, Robertson was one of 25 students to receive national recognition as an Academic All-American. This award recognizes students who achieve competitive success alongside academic accomplishments. The research burdens of academic debate are so great that some debaters let the competitive activity overwhelm their studies. “At CSU, Chico we have been fortunate and wise enough to set up a travel schedule and squad climate that puts achievement in the classroom ahead of achievement at debate tournaments. If students succeed in the classroom, the natural extension of that success is honors at tournaments,” said Kristina Schriver, director of Forensics.

Robertson, a dean’s list student, has succeeded in both areas. She and her debate partner, Jeremy Bowers, are the Northern California Debate Champions. At the national tournament, Robertson and Bowers’ outstanding preliminary debate record assured them a place in the elimination bracket. They won their first elimination debate against a highly successful team from Seattle University. They lost in the second elimination debate against Berkeley.

On April 29, Robertson also won the 2002 Outstanding Policy Debater award from the Northern California Forensics Association. Directors of Northern California forensics programs select award recipients from all eligible participants in the area.

“I’m very grateful for all the opportunities and skills collegiate debate has given me,” said Robertson. Robertson will graduate from CSU, Chico this spring and will attend graduate school at Pepperdine University in the fall. She was awarded a teaching associate position and will work with the Pepperdine debate team.

Also receiving awards at the national debate tournament was Zach Justus. Justus, a speech communication major, won a place on the All-American Debate Team. These awards are given to students who uphold the ideals of citizenship and goodwill while debating. “I could not have achieved such a successful reputation without the help from my squad and my debate partner, Monica Julian,” said Justus, who will graduate next spring.

For more information, contact Kristina Schriver at 530-898-4771.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 3rd, 2002 at 7:14 am and is filed under 2002 Spring.