ISSUED: 7 November 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The Shepherd University Debate and Forensics team hosted the fourth annual Not Your Parents’ Debate Debate where students explored some of today’s most pressing issues. Held at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education on Shepherd’s campus, the event encouraged participants to engage in critical thinking, civil discourse, and open dialogue on contemporary topics.
This year’s debate featured three resolutions selected through a collaborative, multi-step process that prioritized student input and engagement:
- With 80% of Americans using AI daily, AI should be allowed in the college classroom as a tool for both students and professors.
- It is preferable for universities to control hate speech on campus even if it is protected by the First Amendment.
- The United States federal government should adopt a set of standards to govern all social media communications by government agencies and officials.
Each resolution was designed to explore policy, value, and factual arguments, encouraging students to analyze real-world issues through evidence-based reasoning and respectful debate. The topics originated from brainstorming sessions with the Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications and were refined through feedback from the Debate and Forensics Team and representatives from the Student Government Association (SGA).
Participants included Phoenix Herman, team president; Josh Molina, vice president; Ella Esmay, SGA representative and events chair; Red Peterson; Amelia Gagnon; Mirian Hernandez; and Jasmine Mills. Raegan Kidd, Debate and Forensics Team secretary and social media chair, moderated audience questions between topics, fostering an interactive and inclusive atmosphere.
Organizers said the event highlighted the influence of student voices in shaping campus conversations and demonstrated the power of academic debate in addressing real-world challenges.
In addition to promoting thoughtful dialogue, the event also supported a campus-wide food drive, collecting canned goods for the Ram Pantry, Shepherd’s on-campus food resource for students.
— ### —