NAUDL National Dinner – April 5, 2008
On April 5, over 300 enthusiastic supporters and guests joined the NAUDL for our inaugural Annual Dinner, held at the historic University Club of Chicago.
Participants were entertained by a video from Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert, who recorded a special welcome for our event. He offered the following tips for debaters: Always Be Right, Yell Everything, Don't Be Afraid to Cry, Constantly Change the Subject, and Defeat Builds Character. Finally, as for career counseling, he urged: "Please, promise me this, don't throw away your lives on careers in Congress. There are far more honorable ways to get free golf trips."
Nate Parker, who starred in the film The Great Debaters and watched debate rounds at the Chase National Championship earlier in the day, addressed the Reception audience: "What I saw today fascinated and amazed me. All you students, you inspire me, you really do. What I do for a living is fun, but what you guys do for a living makes leaders."
Emory University's Melissa Wade was honored as the first "Urban Debate Champion." Professor Wade has truly been a pioneer of urban debate, beginning her work with the Atlanta UDL in 1985.
Diana Dunker, supervising attorney for Legal Services of New Jersey, was recognized as the NAUDL's "Alumnus of the Year." Ms. Dunker has argued in front of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, securing important advances in the protection of family bonds for urban and/or poor children.
Lenny Gail, Chairman of the NAUDL Board, commented on the honorees: "The enthusiasm was evident. Our presenters spoke eloquently about both our mission and our wonderful collection of honorees. In particular, Urban Debate Champion Melissa Wade and Alum of the Year Diana Dunker, who we and the audience honored for their tremendous contributions, provided inspirational and insightful words about the past, present and exciting future of Urban Debate."
The Keynote Speaker for the event was United States Attorney, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, one of the nation's leading attorneys and public servants. He offered valuable advice not only to the student debaters, but to the rest of the audience as well, stating: "I try to tell students they should find out what it is that motivates them. It could be medicine. It could be social work. It could be teaching. But they ought to make an affirmative choice about what they want to do in their life, and doing good is a very rewarding option, not just doing well. I'll find the time, I'll find the energy, I'll find the resources to help out a cause I believe in. And I know I'm preaching to the choir here, because the people in this room are the people who give up their time to be coaches or administrators or people who find other ways to make sure debate exists.
Board Chair Lenny Gail concluded, "The NAUDL was delighted with our Inaugural Dinner. We feel a tremendous sense of gratitude, witnessing the heartfelt outpouring of support from across the country, not only for this event in particular, but also for the NAUDL's mission of providing urban debate opportunities for as many students as possible. The great success of this event will substantially facilitate that reality."
