MN Urban Debate League

“Debate gave me the foundation to advocate for myself and others, be a critical thinker, and be an open minded person... I thank the Urban Debate League for all that it has done. I thank them for the opportunities I have had, and the friends and family I still enjoy. I applaud them for striving for equality and success and believe that they will make a generation for change. Without them, I would not be the leader I am today. ” – Semaj McDonnell, MN Urban Debate League Alum, First-year student at Augsburg College

The Mission of the Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL) is to empower students to become engaged learners, critical thinkers, and active citizens who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities. MNUDL accomplishes that mission by working with area middle and high schools to implement and maintain academic and competitive debate programs. 

Since it began in 2003, and became a program at Augsburg College in 2009, the program has grown from serving 35 students at 4 schools to serving over 500 students at 32 schools in 2013. 100% of our students have graduated from high school on time, and 99% have been accepted to and have started college! This is why your financial support of the MNUDL is so important. It has a direct impact on how many more students we can reach with our mission of closing the achievement gap here in Minnesota.

The MNUDL hopes to bring debate to even more schools and more students – please help us open the door for more students to gain access to this proven, academically rigorous activity – make a gift ON November 14th, 2013!