WFU Vs. USSR
Soviet students represent their country in a debate

Wake Forest were given the unique opportunity to witness and participate in an exchange of ideas between Soviet and American students in the form of a debate. The topic of the debate was "What are the responsibilities of the USSR and the USA for assisting developing countries?", This topic gave the students a chance to hear a debate on issues that divide our countries.

The debate was part of an exchange program between the USSR and the Speech and Communication Council of America. The Russian students traveled to eight universities around the country presenting their country in political debates. The debate was sponsored by the debate team, the department of Speech, Communication and Theater Arts, and the Provost's Office in conjunction with the Committee on International Discussion and Debate and the Student Council of the USSR.

The Wake Forest team was composed of Ted Wallace, Martin Heflin, and Steve Anderson, all of whom were graduate students. The students representing the Soviet Union were Vladimir Meshcherykov, Yelena Kravchenko, and Aleksey Kruglov. The moderator was Dean William Hamilton. The major argument of the debate centered on the question of aiding the developing countries of Central America. The Wake Forest students felt that it was the joint responsibility of everyone to help these countries, while the Russian students felt that no country should assume this responsibility.
The debate provided unique opportunity for interaction, as it is the only exchange program in which American and Russian students can speak in an atmosphere conducive to complete freedom of expression and ideas. It was hoped that this exchange would be beneficial in future relations between our countries, as the Russian students represented the elite and may one day hold leadership positions.

Elizabeth Flowers - The Howler, 1986