Any Speaker, Any Dreamer - Support Speech and Debate!

Above: Cornell Speech and Debate at our annual banquet.

As one of the few debate societies worldwide without an exclusive tryout process, we are committed to Ezra Cornell’s vision of “... any person ... any study" by fostering equity and inclusivity. We believe developing world-class debaters is about the journey, not the starting point. Through teamwork, international competition, quick thinking inspired by shared energy, and advocacy beyond Cornell, we support our students’ growth. This year, with unprecedented interest and talent, our teams are larger than ever. To help all our debaters advance on their journeys to world-class speakers, we need your support now more than ever.

Despite significant budget cuts, Cornell Speech and Debate students, staff, and leaders have never faltered. We’ve created new partnerships in China, India, and Vietnam, won the North American Championships in debate and have topped the AFA National Championship in speech, and continued our long-standing community service programs such as training through the National Prison Debate League, on-campus advocacy training, and in our many international programs. 

We need YOUR support to back our Any Speaker, Any Dreamer initiative, which aims to enable every aspiring student to embark on their speech and debate travel journeys. We can't achieve this without your help!

Above: Cornell Speech and Debate competing at Hart House in Toronto.

The Cornell Speech and Debate Society stands at a remarkable milestone in its storied history. With the addition of 60 exceptional new members this academic year, our prestigious organization has flourished to encompass 200 dedicated individuals—approaching an unprecedented scale in our institution's legacy.

As we celebrate this tremendous growth, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture. Our distinction as the Ivy League's sole debate society maintaining an open-membership policy sets us apart as a beacon of intellectual inclusivity. This unwavering commitment to accessibility ensures that every aspiring speaker and debater, regardless of background or experience, can access world-class instruction and transformative opportunities in forensics.

To uphold this mission, we must continue providing our members with access to the most distinguished competitive forums worldwide. Each tournament represents not merely a competition, but an investment in developing tomorrow's thought leaders and esteemed advocates.

Your generous support is essential in keeping our vision of excellence and accessibility alive. Every gift, no matter the size, helps uphold our proud legacy and supports the democratic ideals of open dialogue and effective communication.

We invite you to become an integral part of our endeavor to democratize the art of debate and public speaking. Your generous support today will resonate through generations of future orators and leaders who will carry forward the torch of informed, articulate discourse.

Please donate today and join us in our journey to democratize speech and debate!

Above: Director Sam Nelson lecturing students participating in the Cornell International Debate Camp.

The following programs are made possible by your generosity:

1. Global Empowerment: Cornellians teach debate to students and adults in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, South Africa, China, Vietnam, South Korea, and India — and in the Constitution State, Connecticut!

2. Local Service: We’ve worked with everyone from incarcerated individuals to high school students to senior citizens, including programs with the National Prison Debate League and Ithaca High School.

3. Informing the Campus: We’ve taught debate skills to ROTC cadets, hosted major intellectuals speaking on everything from the future of money to the midterm elections, and moderated campus political debates.  

4. Speech & Debate Tournaments: Cornell speech and debate competitors made it to elimination rounds in multiple tournaments and achieved top results both domestically and internationally. 

Our programs all have one thing in common: a learning experience impossible anywhere else but open to all. Whether it’s raising awareness on campus, competing globally, or teaching speech and debate to others, the Cornell Speech and Debate Society fosters lasting community connections that transcend state and national borders. Our members gain not only the ability to advocate for themselves but also the fulfillment of passing that skill on to others. Your support helps this impactful work thrive, and with your donation, you can see the transformative growth of the students you’re empowering. Pictured below, Cornell Speech and Debate members over the last year: 

Above: Spanish Worlds team member Amalia teaching debate in India.

 

Above: Spanish Worlds Team hosting debates at Cornell's SC Johnson School of Business.

 

Above: English Worlds coach Ibe teaching debate fundamentals to local Ithaca High School students.

 

Above: Director Sam Nelson as part of our outreach missions in Africa

 

Above: The participants of Cornell's International Debate Camp

 

Above: English Worlds team competing at the World Universities Debating Championships in Vietnam

 

Above: Cornell Speech Team with their trophies from OCHO IE

 

Above: Spanish Worlds team competing in CMUDE in Medellín, Colombia

Above: Policy debate team wins big at Suffolk University

Support the Cornell Speech and Debate Society’s global achievements and outreach by donating today! Your generosity directly impacts hundreds of students, who are deeply grateful for your support.