Technos International Prize Goes to Award-Winning Debate Captain

Political Science Major Mitch Deleel Announced at Commencement

(LEBANON, Ill., May 8, 2021) — Mitchell (Mitch) Deleel, of Trenton, Ill., an award-winning debater who made his mark at McKendree University and on the national stage, has received the Technos International Prize in 2021. The award was presented on May 8 during the undergraduate commencement ceremony, where Deleel graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.

“He completely combines the criteria of outstanding academic performance and international understanding,” said Dr. Tami Eggleston, provost and dean. A graduating senior is selected by the faculty each year for the annual award, made possible by the continued generosity of the Tanaka Ikuekai Educational Trust.

Deleel served as captain of the university’s highly successful debate team and helped maintain its solid reputation as one of the country’s top competitors. In 2020 with debate partner Adeja Powell, he won the National Parliamentary Debate Association championship, and in 2021 with Kyle Garrett, advanced to the final round and finished second. He helped coordinate virtual and on-site debate events at McKendree and also judged local high school tournaments.

In April he was recognized by the university for his outstanding academic achievement in political science. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi academic honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha national honor society for political science, and was selected in 2018 for Phi Eta Sigma for academic excellence as a first-year student. Deleel also participated in Model United Nations and the Show Choir.

 

-McK-