I’m graduate of the University of Oregon Clark Honors College and alumnus of the UO Debate Team, where I was mentored by Dr. David Frank, Professor of Rhetoric and former Dean of the CHC. My time on the debate team was formative—developing and sharpening my research and communication skills in ways that continue to support and shape my career as an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. I can say without hesitation that debate went well-beyond being an extracurricular activity; it was a foundation for lifelong scholarship and a career that depends on communication skills. I sincerely hope the University will find the means to continue to support this program which was instrumental to my own development and remains one of the most valuable experiences available to University of Oregon students.