Southern Miss Honors College Student Wins National Debate Championship
Wed, 05/07/2025 - 12:59am | By: Ivonne Kawas
When freshman Liam Cronin stepped up to the podium for the final debate round of the 2025 International Public Debate Association (IPDA) National Championship, he never imagined it would end in a national title.
His journey to that moment was fueled by preparation, passion and perseverance. After winning six of eight preliminary rounds and advancing through a series of intense elimination rounds, Cronin claimed first place in the novice division—earning The University of Southern Mississippi’s Speech and Debate Team its sixth national championship since 2015, and its second novice division title.
“Since joining the team, I’d always heard about nationals, and I looked forward to going,” said Cronin. “I thought for sure there would be at least one round that would put me out, so the fact that I was standing where I was, waiting to hear if I won or lost the final round, was just incredible. When my opponent was announced as the finalist, that’s when it hit me—I had just won the National Championship.”
Cronin, an Honors College student double majoring in political science and Spanish with a minor in applied economics in the School of Social Science and Global Studies, was one of several Southern Miss students who delivered standout performances at the national tournament, hosted at Lee College in Baytown, Texas. He competed against several hundred debaters from across the country.
“We are incredibly proud of the Southern Miss Speech and Debate Team, and especially of Liam Cronin for this remarkable achievement,” said Dr. Paul Strait, professor of communication studies and director of forensics. “Liam’s confident delivery, fearless approach to complex issues, and strong strategic instincts set him apart. We are excited to see what he accomplishes next.”
In the professional division, Gretta Graves, a Southern Miss graduate student pursuing her master’s in communication and serving as a graduate assistant coach, also impressed—placing 10th in the national season-long rankings and advancing to the octofinal round at the championship. Beyond her competitive success, Graves played a key role in preparing students like Cronin for the challenges of collegiate debate.
For Cronin, the national championship was about more than just competition. He said it represented finding his voice, his confidence and his community during his first year on campus.
“My first year here at Southern Miss has been amazing, and I attribute a lot of that to the group I have come to be so close with during the season,” he said. “If I had never joined the USM Speech and Debate Team, I don’t know if I would have ever found my group of people—a group that loves civil discourse and debating in the same way that I do.”
Cronin’s success extended well beyond the national stage. Throughout the season, he competed in multiple tournaments and built an impressive record—including earning the Top Speaker Award and claiming championship titles in several categories at the State Debate Tournament held at Southern Miss. He also placed highly in acting events and individual extemporaneous speaking throughout the season.
As the oldest student organization on campus (founded in 1913), the Southern Miss Speech and Debate Team continues to provide a space where students build community, sharpen their public speaking and gain confidence through intercollegiate competition.
“Debate is one of the few activities that truly sharpens the mind. It equips students not only with the confidence to speak on virtually any topic, but also with the tools to think critically, listen actively, and respond with clarity and precision,” Strait said. “In debate, students learn to quickly absorb information, anticipate opposing viewpoints and craft compelling, well-reasoned arguments. The transformation we see in our students—both intellectually and personally—is remarkable.”
Cronin’s advice for anyone considering joining: “Don’t hesitate.”
“I had never debated before college, but I always loved public speaking and critical thinking,” he said. “What we do in debate is so entertaining—but also challenging. My advice is: try it out. And if you don’t end up liking it, that’s okay. But you might find your place—just like I did.”
For more about the Southern Miss Speech and Debate Team, contact Gretta%20Graves and Dr.%20Paul%20Strait.