By Carly Watson and Melanie Brender
For the first time in program history, a member of Michigan State University Debate received the Julia Burke Award. Joanna Gusis received the award, which is given to an outstanding debater who most clearly exhibits a passion for debate, a commitment to helping others, love and respect for the debate community, and dedication to maintaining friendships despite the pressures of competition.
“The Julia Burke Award is like the Heisman Trophy of college debate. It’s meant to honor the most outstanding debater, recognizing exceptional ability, diligence, and integrity,” said MSU Head Debate Coach Will Repko.
Gusis – a fourth-year Honors College student majoring in statistics, as well as political theory and constitutional democracy – was selected as a finalist by the Julia Burke Foundation award committee. Participants at the ADA National Championship then voted for the award recipient from the list of three finalists.
“Joanna is one of the most genuine and lovely students I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with,” said MSU Director of Debate Carly Watson. “I can’t think of anyone that better satisfies the characteristics that the Julia Burke Award recognizes.”
“It was a standout weekend for MSU Debate,” Gusis said. “I’m incredibly grateful to be this year’s Julia Burke Award recipient. To be recognized for my character by a community I respect so much is a true honor, especially among such deserving nominees.”
Gusis has had an outstanding competitive season so far with her partner Stephen Lewis, a third-year social relations and policy student. Gusis and Lewis reached the Final Four at two major open tournaments – the JW Patterson Debates hosted by the University of Kentucky and the Franklin R. Shirley Classic at Wake Forest University – and competed at the Herbert L. James Debates, an invitation-only tournament hosted by Dartmouth College for seven of the top teams in the country.
“Above being a fierce and hard-working competitor, Joanna has been an exemplary teammate, friend and role model,” said Arielle Gearring, a fourth-year political theory and constitutional democracy student on the debate team. “She is the backbone of MSU Debate, and everyone was so excited for her to receive the Julia Burke award.”
Gusis has built lasting relationships with MSU Debate alumni and the debate community. She worked with alumnus Howard Akumiah to code a program that helps the team prepare for debates more efficiently and currently interns at the Prinz Law firm with alumnus Amit Bindra. She also served as the student representative to the Cross-Examination Debate Association topic committee last summer.
“Joanna is a helper and it shows,” Watson said. “Joanna is welcoming, supportive, generous with her time, and unfailingly encouraging to those around her.”
This is the first time a student from MSU has received the Julia Burke Award, and it follows the team’s first Front Royal Cup victory at the ADA National Championship.
MSU Debate is part of the Honors College. A version of this story first appeared at the Honor’s College website.