"Patrick Henry College is serious about debate. In this day and age when people are so often attracted to the most persuasive and articulate communicators, no matter how unsound their ideas, it is essential for individuals who aspire to impact our culture to possess the ability to discern the winds of political and social thought and to be able to communicate the truth effectively in a clear, concise, and appealing manner. PHC's debate program provides a forum for students to learn just that; how to communicate with an audience and skillfully and convincingly present their ideas. Debate instills life skills. Whether you choose to be a teacher, an engineer, or a corporate manager, debate will influence the way you think, speak, and act. Its benefits will last a lifetime."
Missy Hurter, 2004 PHC Graduate
"Patrick Henry College may not have a football team, but we have one of the best debate teams in the country."
Mike Farris, PHC Chancellor
A Note from the Debate Coach
Debate is one of the most important tools of classical liberal arts education, integrating and applying classroom knowledge in a communicative setting. Through dialogue with sharp opponents, ideas are tested for their worth and speaker are tested in their ability to communicate persuasively. Debate forces students to think clearly, quickly, and rationally. It fosters good communication skills in a way that little else can.
Debate is a character-building activity, since it requires grappling with the weighty burdens of success and talent. At PHC, Christians aspiring to positions of influence are taught, through experience, to ardently avoid intellectual arrogance, cynicism, and sophistry, all of which are strong temptations to the persuasive and talented. The strong team-focused environment encourages the enculturation of proper values that should be associated with gifts and abilities.
The vision of PHC’s debate program is to provide a forum—an atmosphere of fellowship—that cultivates the academic virtues of careful inquiry, critical thought, and reasoned expression, while guiding students away from the vices that may naturally accompany these pursuits. The result of this vision is a team that not only continues to win dozens of awards every year, but genuinely seeks to glorify God in its ongoing success. I hope others will lend their hand to this great endeavor.
Pro Christo et libertate,
Isaiah McPeak
Coach
Isaiah M. McPeak
Executive Debate Coach
immcpeak@students.phc.edu
Isaiah McPeak is a Senior at PHC set to graduate with a degree in Strategic Intelligence. At PHC on a debate scholarship for national performance in the NCFCA, Isaiah has competed on all three of PHC’s debate squads: NEDA, Parli, and Moot Court. His awards include multiple tournament victories, national placements, and first place speaker awards.
Isaiah and his wife, Amy, coach a local NCFCA speech and debate club for homeschoolers that meets at PHC.
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