Kedzie Hall 007 officially became the new debate room for the K-State debate team Thursday morning. Members and coaches of the debate team and facilities staff watched as President Jon Wefald commissioned the new room.

Justin Green, director of debate for K-State, said the team dedicated the new room to Wefald because of the various ways he has supported the team over the years.

"He has provided both personal and financial support to the team and that is why we are dedicating this room to him," Green said.

After everyone in the room settled, the speeches began. Green spoke first, followed by a speech from a team member, and later an address from Wefald. He spoke about the importance of debate and thanked the people who made the new room possible. Five weeks ago, it was only a basement.

Wefald called the room and day a "celebration of the debate team and department." He called Green a "rising star in the debate world," and congratulated the members of the facilities team who worked to get the room where it is today.

Green said this year has been very exciting for the team, which is ranked seventh in the nation.

This year's topics for debate are Supreme Court cases, including abortion, school desegregation and war on terror detainees.

The competitions are set up as two-on-two teams which prepare arguments for both sides of the issue.

"The winner of the debate depends on a lot of things," said Josh Westmoreland, assistant director of the debate team. "You have to be a Vince Young to be a good debater. You have to be able to research, argue and do everything else to win the debate, but the winner is debatable."

Beth Mendenhall, team member and freshman in political science and philosophy, said her favorite part of being on the team is arguing both sides of an issue because she learns more about the subject up for debate.

Green said the new room will help the team and add to its already long and storied history. In 1991 and 1993, the debate team won the national championship, and to date the program claims more than 15 individual national champions.