Duke University Archives. Collection description
Extent: 1 Hollinger box + 1 flat box (1.7 linear ft.)
History: Duke has been represented in intercollegiate debating since 1897. In that year a debate between Trinity and Wake Forest students attracted much attention, and for the next five years was an annual event. In the 1954/55 debate season, academic freedom for college debaters became an issue. The question posed for debate by the Speech Association of America was whether the U.S. should extend diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China. Duke's team accepted the topic, and garnered considerable publicity as the propriety of the topic was discussed nationally. Professor Joseph C. Wetherby was for many years faculty adviser to the team.
Contents: Correspondence, flyers, reports, clippings, rosters, photographs, scrapbooks (oversize), and other materials, with bulk dates of 1950-1977. The collection includes materials about the 1954/55 debate topic controversy, and a student paper by Elizabeth Molsen on the subject.
Associated materials: Joseph C. Wetherby Papers, Duke University Archives.