Ede Warner Jr., Ph.D. (Director of Debate)

Dr. Warner is entering his 16th season at UofL, where he came after receiving his Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1998. Dr. Warner's teams have placed as high as the quarterfinals at the Cross-Examination Debate Association National Tournament and quarterfinals at the National Debate Tournament, as well as being finalists at Wake Forest University, University of Southern California, Long Beach State University, and others. Dr. Warner is the recipient of several awards, including the Honorable Mention Coach of the Year for the NDT 6th District and the Brownlee National Coach of the Year award. His debate team has received national media attention in numerous sources, was featured significantly in the novel, Cross Ex, and has been the focus of several academic theses and dissertations.  Dr. Warner is currently in the process of completing two books, a non-fiction novel and a textbook, both addressing ethical argumentation and debate.

Tiffany Dillard-Knox (Program Coordinator)

Tiffany is originally from Louisville, Kentucky. She is finishing up her Masters in Sociology with an emphasis in Communication here at the University of Louisville.  She already holds a graduate certificate in Pan-African Studies.  During her seven years of affiliation with the team, Tiffany has been a debater, a graduate assistant, and now Program Coordinator.  She has a 9-year-old son named Demetrius and is happily married to Corey Knox, also a former University of Louisville debater.  In her spare time, she enjoys playing basketball and scrabble.

Mary Mudd (Program Assistant)

Mary is currently a student in the Master of Arts program in the Communications Department, in addition to pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Pan-African Studies.  She is also the Staff Advisor for commonGround, the University of Louisville's organization for LGBT undergraduate students and their allies.  Mary competed with the team in her senior year at UofL and is happy to now be a permanent member of the staff, having accepted the position of Program Assistant in September 2007.  She is looking forward to “being involved in the continual evolution of the argument, the team and the individual debaters.”

Paul “the computer guy” Bennett (Senior)

Paul is a Computer Information Systems (Information Security) major originally from Lexington, KY.  He likes camping, backpacking, running, messing with web pages/graphic design, and participating in AFROTC.  Paul plans to commission as an officer in the U.S. Air force.

Brian Paige (Graduate Assistant)

Brian is originally from Louisville and has just started work on his Masters in Communication.  He has always been interested in debate on an informal level, but this is the first time he’s been involved in organized debate.  Brian enjoys classic movies, has written a few film scripts and short stories, likes spending time with his family, and follows sports. 

Rosie Washington (Graduate Assistant)

Rosie is a Political Science major from Kansas City, MO.  She started debating in high school and feels that Louisville Debate has been a great character builder and has helped her to decide her future. She enjoys singing, being with her family, and eventually wants to be part of a think-tank with social impact.

Marian Kennedy (Senior)

Marian is a Political Science major from Louisville. She aspires to succeed in debate tournaments (wins and speaker awards) and is motivated by her participation in a social movement to combat debate’s monoculture.  When she isn’t debating she enjoys spending time with her family and church.  Marian aspires to become a school principal and work on the Board of Education.

Jason Walker (Senior)

Jason is majoring in Pan-African Studies, with a minor in Cultural Anthropology.  Originally from Washington, D.C., Jason is the former President of the NAACP College Chapter on campus.  He has organized campus demonstrations in support of racial and social justice.  A significant accomplishment was the creation of a campus-wide movement known as the Justice and Equality Now in America! Movement (J.E.N.A!).  In 2008, Jason was chosen as a Summer Scholar for the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy, a non-profit think-tank on the leading edge of debate on public policy debate (http://www.drummajorinstitute.com/dmischolars/). He was also a 2009 New Leader Intern for the Center for Progressive Leadership (http://www.progressiveleaders.org/) in Washington, D.C.  Jason is also an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  His other interests include reading and socializing.

Tiffany S. McCollum (Senior)

Tiffany is an English major from Los Angeles who works to feel successful in debate on a competitive and personal level.  She is involved in various organizations on campus and holds multiple leadership roles in these.  Louisville Debate has helped change her view on policy debate and has helped her to cultivate growth on campus and in college.  Tiffany is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.  She wants to attend graduate school and become a marriage or family therapist.

Ebony B. Rose (Senior)

Ebony is a Middle-School Education major from Kansas City, MO, who enjoys reading, Facebook, traveling around the world, and debate.  He was originally forced into debate during high school but stayed because he “liked it.”  Ebony wants to successfully complete four years of college debate and eventually coach his very own middle/high school debate team.  Ebony enjoys reading, watching MSNBC, and CNN.  He would like to become Secretary of Education or a University dean.

Chris Vincent (Sophomore)

Chris is a Political Science major from Louisville who debated throughout high school.  He now wants to be a successful college debater and eventually go on to law school.  Chris hopes to bring something to the team and to gain a deeper understanding of argumentation, along with having an enjoyable experience.  Outside of debate, Chris likes to read,  spend time with his friends, mess around on Facebook,  and maintain a part-time job.

Shawn Ross (Sophomore)

Shawn is a political science major originally from Los Angeles, CA.  He first became interested in debate after taking a speech class in political science and wants to hone his oratorical skills.  Shawn also works at UPS and is interested in sports, MMA, and long walks on the beach.

 June Leffler (Sophomore)

June is an English major from Louisville and is also a reporter for the Cardinal newspaper.  She became interested in debate as a way to improve rhetorical skills after meeting other debaters from other schools.  June is also interested in writing, making music, and stencils.

Melissa Kirby (Sophomore)

Melissa is currently undecided in terms of major and was originally from Fort Knox, but just returned to Louisville after living most of her life in San Diego.  Melissa wants to excel in debating and is also interested in writing and poetry.

Aaron Weathers (Sophomore) 

Aaron is a Psychology major originally from Clarksville, TN.  Aaron became interested in debate as a way to be involved and to express his opinions as well as improve his skills in communication and research.  He hopes to become a pediatrician and is hopeful of attending Johns Hopkins Medical School.

Shelby Ray Pumphrey (Sophomore)

Shelby is an English major originally from Louisville.  She has an interest in debate as a way to become more involved in social justice and on campus activities.  Shelby plans to teach middle or high school English and potentially get a Masters and teach at the college level.  She enjoys reading, writing, poetry, and running.

Skylar Graudick (Sophomore)

Skylar Is a Political Science major originally from Long Island, NY and has lived in Louisville since 2000.  Skylar is heavily involved in the Student Government Association and wants to run for public office in the future.  He enjoys debate as a way to become informed about both sides of an issue. He wants to win debates and bring glory to UofL.

Whitney Abernathy (Sophomore)

Whitney is a communications and sociology major originally from Hopkinsville, KY.  She hopes to bring passion, fun, excitement, and AGENCY to the debate team, since she enjoys speaking and having her opinion heard.  Her goal is to go to law school and become a successful lawyer and give back to her hometown community.  She enjoys playing sports, music, cooking, and reading.

Cortney E. George (Freshman)

Cortney is a pre-med major originally from Lafayette, Colorado.  She has an active interest in forensics and is interested in public speaking, debating, and drama activities.  She is also highly into mountain activities such as rock climbing, hiking, and enjoying nature.  Cortney enjoys the camaraderie of being on the debate team and sharing in the team’s success.