Politable Society B.J.F. Resumes On-Campus Activities, Initiates First Debates Since Two Decades
The Benedict Joseph Fenwick Debating Society, a storied debating group named after the renowned Jesuit bishop, has been revived at the College of the Holy Cross after a hiatus of over two decades. Originally established in 1846, the society's history is deeply intertwined with the college's early years, although specific details about its early activities and historical significance remain somewhat elusive.
Recent efforts to reestablish the society have been spearheaded by a dedicated group of students, including Professor Stephanie Yuhl, Owen Whaley '24, Matthew Rae '24, Emmeline Lignowski '24, and Leonidas Alexandris '24. On November 4, the society held its first practice session in twenty years in the Levis Browsing Room of Dinand Library.
Since its revival, the Benedict Joseph Fenwick Debating Society has been actively engaging young debaters from local Worcester high schools, hosting a radio show, and offering a platform for generations of students and community members to debate various pressing issues. Topics discussed in the first practice session included Holy Cross' Catholic identity, whether President Biden should be re-elected, and whether U.S. military personnel should be deployed to Mexico.
The society's purpose, as stated on its website, is to cultivate knowledge, eloquence, and understanding among the students at the College of the Holy Cross. It encourages all community members to spectate or participate in its debates. The B.J.F. Society has also demonstrated its prowess in intercollegiate debating competitions, competing against teams from Georgetown, Hofstra, M.I.T., Oxford, and other universities.
Looking ahead, the B.J.F. Society plans to host a second round of debates on various topics, including the Trump prosecution, the Second Amendment, and climate policy. A third round will focus on the War in Ukraine and whether Holy Cross should be proud of its connections to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas '71. The society will also hold its next debate on Nov. 2nd, focusing on topics concerning the 2024 presidential election, the possibility of Greek life on campus, and the nature of human morality.
The B.J.F. Society aims to recruit underclassmen for its 4-member advisory board later in the year. The society's Instagram account @thebjfsociety and website sites.google.com/g.holycross.edu/bjfsociety provide more information about the society's history and upcoming events. The society hopes to keep the B.J.F. Society active at Holy Cross for another 150 years and beyond.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the society's history and current status, it is recommended to consult Holy Cross’s official student organizations webpage or contact the college’s archives or student affairs office. Given Fenwick’s significance as a Jesuit leader and former president of Georgetown University and ecclesiastical figure, the society’s name suggests a connection to Jesuit intellectual traditions emphasizing debate, rhetoric, and discourse.
[1] Note: The provided information is based on the bullet points provided and may not reflect the complete and detailed history or current status of the Benedict Joseph Fenwick Debating Society at Holy Cross. For a more accurate and comprehensive understanding, it is advisable to consult Holy Cross’s official sources or contact the college directly.
- The revived Benedict Joseph Fenwick Debating Society, named after the revered Jesuit bishop, is actively engaging students and community members at the College of the Holy Cross, promoting education, eloquence, and understanding.
- Established in 1846, the society's history is deeply rooted in the college's early years, although specific details about its early activities and historical significance remain somewhat elusive.
- The B.J.F. Society has demonstrated its prowess in intercollegiate debating competitions, competing against teams from prestigious universities such as Georgetown, Hofstra, M.I.T., Oxford, and more.
- Upcoming debates on the society's calendar include topics like the Trump prosecution, the Second Amendment, climate policy, the War in Ukraine, Holy Cross' connections to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas '71, the 2024 presidential election, Greek life on campus, and the nature of human morality.
- The society encourages students and community members to spectate or participate in its debates, with forthcoming events detailed on its Instagram account (@thebjfsociety) and website (sites.google.com/g.holycross.edu/bjfsociety).
- The B.J.F. Society aims to remain active at Holy Cross for another 150 years and beyond, cultivating a rich tradition of education, self-development, news, arts, events, and sports within the college community.
