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HOMETOWN RELEASE: Palestine Resident Representing UT Tyler Debate Team Awarded Honors at National Tournament

Travis Smith of Palestine, a junior at The University of Texas at Tyler, was part of a debate team duo who placed second after losing to Washburn University in the final round of the McKendree University Debate Tournament held earlier this month in Lebanon, Ill.

Smith, a political science major, plans to May 2011. He hopes to attend graduate school and becoming involved as a foreign diplomat. A member of the UT Tyler Debate Team, Smith also is a member of the university’s Model United Nations.

Thirty-five teams from across the country participated in the tournament. UT Tyler competed against Central Michigan University, DePauw University, Loyola University, Southern Illinois University, Wheaton College and William Jewell College, among others.

The UT Tyler Debate Team nationally competes in parliamentary debate, which is governed by the National Parliamentary Debate Association.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 90 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 6,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.