Directory

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Fletcher, Brady

Director of Forensics

Office Location
1.208A Dewey
Telephone
(585) 275-6293

As an alum of the University (MA, English '08), Brady is very proud to be directing the University of Rochester Debate Union. He has taught and coached many different speech and debate activities over the years at the University of Vermont, the University of Rochester, and at several high schools and middle schools in Rochester and the New York City area. He began his debate career with no previous experience as a debater at the University of Vermont. In 2005 he won the Novice National Debate Tournament and tied for top speaker, and went on to have success as a varsity debater. Brady believes in the value and importance of novice debate, and recognizes that there are many different reasons people decide to join the activity. He also knows first-hand how rewarding it can be to advance to the highest competitive level. Whatever your reason, Brady wants to encourage all UR students to come on by and give debate a try, as he once did many years ago.

Brady teaches courses at UR in Introductory Debate, Advanced Debate, the Rhetoric of Ecology, and Activism, Advocacy, and Performance in Debate. In addition to his debate teaching and research, Brady researches visual culture, ecology, and outer space. Brady holds a doctorate from New York University.

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Yahom, Jefferson

Assistant Director

Office Location
1.208B Dewey
Telephone
(585) 275-6293

This year marks Jefferson’s 12th consecutive year in competitive debate. From his humble origins in small-town Oklahoma classrooms competing in Lincoln-Douglas debate, to semifinals at CEDA Nationals and outrounds at the National Debate Tournament doing policy debate with the University of Oklahoma, he has had the privilege and joy of seeing the strengths and weaknesses of many debate traditions and maintains a deep commitment to the belief that the people who need debate the most are the ones who have never done it.