Clearwater is the home campus of the 2016 Great Debate champion of St. Petersburg College. Alexis Deveaux, a major in Paralegal Studies (BAS) and Business Administration (AS), argued her way to the Great Debate championship with a polished, well-researched defense of free-speech limitations at the finals of the inter-campus competition Nov. 15 at the Seminole campus. Ms. Deveaux is in her fourth and final year at SPC. After graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree in May she plans to start law school in the Fall.

Finishing in a close second place was William Trippett representing the Downtown Center, who made a strong case against the speech-suppression movement sweeping across college campuses.

In third place was Christina Chatfield of the Tarpon Springs campus.

The competition was moderated by Earl Fratus, Academic Program Manager of the Honors Program. Serving as judges were Catherine Kennedy, Associate Vice President, University Partnership Center; Dr. Susan Demers, Dean of Public Policy and Legal Studies, and Dr. Joseph Smiley, dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

The Great Debate was sponsored by the Institute and Student Life and Leadership Council. Faculty and staff on five major academic campuses served as recruiters, coaches and coordinators.

At preliminary debates held in October, the students debated such topics as the legalization of medical marijuana, use of video cameras by law enforcement, creating a path to citizenship for undocumented residents, and Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump for president.

For photos and a full video of the final competition, please visit the event page.

David Klement
Executive Director
Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions
St. Petersburg College