There were signs early in his debate career that Naveen Ramachandrappa
would represent UGA with distinction. As a freshman, he was
a member of the UGA debate team that finished 2nd at the Novice
National Championship held at Northwestern University. Today,
Naveen is a senior and President of the Georgia Debate Union.
He is one of the most successful intercollegiate debaters in
UGA’s history.
During his junior year, Naveen and Shawn Powers won the National
Season Opener and the Tiesenger Debates, two of the most important
tournaments in the country. Their season culminated with a perfect
record of 8-0 in the preliminary rounds of the National Debate
Tournament, a feat achieved only 16 times in the tournament’s
56 year history.
This season, Naveen and his partner, junior Hays Watson, continued
the outstanding performance. They placed second of 70 schools
at the Harvard debate tournament in late October, losing the
final round to Emory University. Then in mid-November, they
finished second again out of 152 teams at the Wake Forest Tournament--losing
the finals to Cal Berkeley. Naveen was recognized as the fourth
best individual debater of 304 participants at the tournament.
Additionally, Naveen worked as an intern at UGA’s Center
for International Trade and Security and had an Honors internship
in the office of Congressman Johnny Isakson. In his free time,
Naveen enjoys tennis and table tennis.
Competing in a Global Economy
The University of Georgia is at the forefront of the globalization
movement in higher education with a wealth of opportunities
for international experiences. Our students are flocking to
study-abroad programs, thriving on the challenges inherent
in confronting a new cultural environment. More and more,
students on campus are also making choices that reflect an
understanding of the importance of global awareness—from
living in a residence hall-based language community to starting
a radio program in another language to minoring in a foreign
language. These experiences, whether at home or abroad, influence
how our students perceive the world and their place in it.
We’re producing graduates prepared to be world citizens—well
informed, culturally sensitive and technologically sophisticated.
They’re ready to take on the challenges of our global
society, and they’ll be equally at home whether in the
Peach State or the Republic of Georgia.
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Naveen Ramachandrappa (right) has become one of the most successful
intercollegiate debaters in UGA's history with the help of his debate
team partner, Hays Watson.
