Are you an experienced, successful varsity debater looking for a "top lab"
experience? Welcome to the 2008 Zag Scholars Program at the Gonzaga Debate
Institute. The Zags Scholars Program is designed
to bring together some of the most intelligent, driven, committed, and dedicated
debaters from across the nation. The application process for the Zag
Scholars is completely separate from the rest of the GDI.
Click here for an application. We generally receive well over
100 applications for this program, from which we select 20 to Scholars. We have established a strong tradition of success in
our Scholars Program. Zag Scholars have gone on to receive multiple TOC bids and win
late elimination debates and speaker awards at some of the most competitive tournaments in the nation
including The Glenbrooks, St. Marks, Greenhill, and many others.
The Scholars lab will combine an intense research experience with a practical
curriculum of practice debates, redos, block writing, and other skills based
work. In addition to the GDI Lecture Series, Scholars will also receive
individualized lectures from a variety of GDI faculty. Your first
two weeks of the program will be heavily devoted to research and learning the
topic. Your final weeks will be devoted to skill work culminating in the
Scholars RR at the GDI Tournament.
Faculty: The Zag Scholars will be taught by Jason Russell, Sarah Holbrook and
Jeff Buntin. Jason has been on the faculty of the GDI for 7 years. He has
coached at Michigan State University, Gonzaga University, and most recently at
the University of Oklahoma where he is also a PhD candidate in Communication
Studies. Sarah Holbrook is returning to the GDI for her third summer.
She has also taught at the University of Texas and Stanford debate institutes
and is widely regarded as one of the best college judges and coach
es in the
nation. We're very glad to have her back on our Scholars Faculty. Jeff has
coached at Gonzaga University since Fall 2006. Before that he was a successful
debater at Whitman College. Jeff specializes in research. Lots of it.
Rounding out our Scholars Faculty is Mike Burshteyn. Mike is a former TOC
champion and is currently among the top college debaters in the nation. This
season he has won Kentucky, Harvard and Fullerton.
Cost: The Zag Scholars Program is subsidized with
scholarships provided by the Gonzaga Debate Program. The cost to the
student is $1100, which includes all instruction, dorm costs, printed
evidence set*, and evidence CDs, Scholars dinner, t-shirt, timer, and other GDI
goodies.
Students will have the option of purchasing a meal plan if desired. As you
have probably figured out, this is an amazing cost for this program. In
fact, you will not find a better value for this level of lab anywhere in the
nation. Because of this labs record of success, as well as the subsidized cost,
this is an incredibly competitive lab and acceptance is difficult.
Please note: Over 80% of students who apply will not be admitted. If
we do not accept you into the Scholars Lab we strongly urge you to consider
attending our four week varsity labs.
Should you apply? That is ultimately up to you, but please keep in mind that
with very little exception Scholars are juniors or seniors with extensive
varsity level experience. These students consistently clear to elimination
debates and represent the very best in high school CX debate. If you think that
describes you, then please apply.
We will begin accepting
applications for the 2008 Scholars Program on January 1st, 2008. Please
email the
application
to Glen Frappier,
frappier@gem.gonzaga.edu.s
Glen Frappier, GDI Director
Jason Russell, Director of the Zag Scholars
* each partnership will receive a printed set of
evidence as part of their tuition.
