Northwest Nazarene University student Lily Walsh has been named one of the top novice debaters in the country by the International Public Debate Association (IPDA), earning the Fifth Place Season Long Speaker Award in the Novice Division for the 2024–2025 season.
This national recognition reflects Walsh’s consistent performance across multiple tournaments throughout the academic year. The Season Long Speaker Award is calculated based on cumulative speaker points earned at official IPDA events, representing excellence in both argumentation and presentation skills.
“I’m so proud of Lily! Fifth place out of every novice IPDA debater in the nation is a huge accomplishment,” said Brooke Adamson, Assistant Professor of Communication and Director of Forensics at NNU. “Her growth and dedication this season have been remarkable.”
The IPDA is one of the largest collegiate debate organizations in the United States, with hundreds of students competing at the novice level from institutions across the country. Walsh’s top-five finish places her among the best emerging debaters in the nation.
The NNU forensics team continues to build a tradition of excellence in debate and public speaking, and Walsh’s achievement highlights the strength of the program and the support students receive from faculty and peers alike. This year marks its 100th year of competitive debate at NNU.
