Diana Dunker Named Urban Debate Alumnus of the Year

Diana Dunker debated for Science High School of Newark from 1985-89 during a time when very few urban school debaters competed on the high school national circuit.  During her varsity years she and her partner were invited to numerous national round robins and qualified twice for the NFL National Tournament as well as the Tournament of Champions.

Ms. Dunker graduated from Rutgers University in 1993.  During her undergraduate career she worked extensively with the Science High School debate program, including coaching the team to the national finals.  From 1993 to 1996 Ms. Dunker attended Rutgers Law School and since her graduation has worked as a legal advocate for GLBT rights, criminal justice rights, and family and child rights. 

Currently Ms. Dunker is a supervising attorney for Legal Services of New Jersey, coordinating a statewide project providing legal services concerning child welfare.  In that capacity she has twice argued in front of the New Jersey Supreme Court, securing major advances in the protection of family bonds for urban and/or poor children.  Ms. Dunker also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Women and AIDS Network. 

Ms. Dunker is the Advisory Board Chair of the New Jersey UDL, in which capacity she has successfully shepherded a diverse board into the adoption and ownership of its first three-year strategic plan. 

Ms. Dunker is undoubtedly a powerful role model for our students and an outstanding example of the manner in which urban debate is literally redefining the face of American intellectualism and public policy advocacy. She was honored at the 2008 NAUDL Annual Dinner at the University Club of Chicago.