Wiley University debate program thrives following Denzel Washington gift

Nearly two decades after actor Denzel Washington pledged $1 million to Wiley University, the school’s debate program has successfully re-established itself. The investment helped revive the Melvin B. Tolson/Denzel Washington Forensics Society, a program that had been dormant for generations following the departure of legendary coach Melvin B. Tolson in 1947.

The program has seen significant competitive success, including winning the Pi Kappa Delta crown in 2014 and 2016, and recently placing among the top three schools at the HBCU Nationals. Beyond trophies, the funding has provided substantial scholarship aid for students, with some participants receiving up to $80,000 in support.

The debate legacy at the Marshall, Texas, institution dates back to the 1920s, when the team became a national powerhouse, famously defeating the University of Southern California in 1935. Washington’s support, initiated around the release of his 2007 film “The Great Debaters,” aimed to provide opportunities for students through academic and career advancement.