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The film depicts the Wiley Debate team beating Harvard College in the 1930s. The real Wiley team instead defeated the University of Southern California, who at the time were the reigning debating champions.
Learn about the history and achievements of Wiley College's debate team, founded by professor Melvin Tolson in 1924. The team competed in intercollegiate and interracial debates, and produced notable alumni such as James Farmer Jr.
In 1935, the Wiley College debate team defeated the reigning national debate champion, the University of Southern California (depicted as Harvard University in The Great Debaters). In 2007, Denzel Washington announced a donation of $1 million to Wiley so the team could be re-established.
In addition to teaching English, Tolson used his high energies in several directions at Wiley. He built an award-winning debate team, the Wiley Forensic Society, which became a pioneer in interracial collegiate debates.
1 kwi 2023 · Before an integrated audience of 2,000, the “Great Debaters” of historically Black Wiley College of Marshall, Texas, defeated the reigning national champion, the University of Southern California. The victory meant a defeat for scientific racism, which pervaded the day.
30 lis 2023 · On November 3, 2023, Wiley College changed to Wiley University and will now offer graduate programs. The team eagerly made its mark at the tournament under the direction of former Great Debater Coach Ernest Mack 16’.
29 lut 2024 · The film follows Melvin B. Tolson, a professor and poet, who coaches the Wiley College Debate Team in 1935 Texas. The film is based on a true story, but takes creative liberties with some of the characters and events, such as the final debate against Harvard University.
