The 1999 National Debate Tournament (NDT) scheduled for Wednesday-Monday, March 24-29, at Wayne State University will draw the top 78 college teams from across the country. The Ford Fund sponsors the event.

"We are very proud to be the 1999 NDT host," says Professor George Ziegelmueller, Wayne State director of debate. "Some of the brightest college students from top colleges and universities will be competing on our campus for one of the most prestigious academic awards."

Previous national champions include Harvard University, University of California at Los Angeles, Georgetown University, the U. S. Military Academy and most recently, Northwestern University.

Wayne State has an outstanding record of success at the national tournament and has qualified to compete at the NDT in 37 of the last 38 years. Twice Wayne State teams have won second place at the tournament, and over the past 50 years their record of success is among the 10 best in the nation.

A public debate at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, in the General Lectures Building opens the tournament. Four previous NDT participants will debate whether or not affirmative action should be discontinued. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions. The event is free and open to students, faculty and the community.

"Affirmative action is particularly contentious issue," says John Miller, coordinator of the NDT. "The public debate will provide a forum to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this program while demonstrating the importance of debate training. It should be an entertaining evening."

The tournament ends late Monday, March 29, when the two best teams compete for the national debate championship.

Rod Phares, assistant director of the WSU debate, says, "the tournament is a grueling test of skill and intellectual endurance. The winner truly deserves the national title."

For more information about the tournament, call John Miller in the WSU communication department at (313) 577-2946.