LV Life

Lising dumps big time for small town

"I was a David Letterman wannabe," says Ian Lising, director of forensics at the University of La Verne, of the television show "V.I.P.s Unwind" that he hosted in the Phillipines. Lising stuck with debate after having ambitions in law. He still finds ways to entertain as he strums the guitar for a few students before a practice debate. / photo by Jason Cooper
“I was a David Letterman wannabe,” says Ian Lising, director of forensics at the University of La Verne, of the television show “V.I.P.s Unwind” that he hosted in the Phillipines. Lising stuck with debate after having ambitions in law. He still finds ways to entertain as he strums the guitar for a few students before a practice debate. / photo by Jason Cooper

by Tom Chambers
Staff Writer

Ian Lising, 28, the University of La Verne’s debate coach, never lets his feet slumber and his arrival has brought instant success to the University.

During Lising’s first year as coach, last year’s debate team earned second place at the World Championships in Australia.

His ambitious attitude swept him across the globe to La Verne from South East Asia. He chose La Verne specifically for the challenge it posed.

“I wanted to teach somewhere I had the opportunity to build a program from the ground up,” said Lising.

In 1999, Lising was the director of the Debate World Championships in the Philippines. The La Verne team attended the event and Lising learned of an opening for a debate coach.

At the time he was considering several jobs on the East Coast and one in Europe. He said the option of moving to the West Coast had never presented itself and he considered it remote.

He said he had never heard of the University of La Verne. He knew that they were not successful and. decided to take the challenge.

Taking on challenges is nothing new for Lising. He has been a national television host in the Philippines, stand up comedian, impressionist and a literature teacher at the college and high school levels.

Now the director of forensics for ULV, said he feels he has found his calling in debate. He entered into the debate field intending to become a lawyer.

“I fell in love with debate itself, the art of it and teaching it,” said Lising.

After realizing his talent he divorced himself from law and threw himself into debate. At his depth, Lising is a professor and it is what he finds most rewarding.

His philosophy on debate is based on students defining their own success. He said he is not success oriented, but goal oriented, which is ironic due to the success of the debate team.

“I’d rather be a king maker than a king,” said Lising.

His teaching philosophy is reflective of his spiritual nature. As a Catholic, he learned the value of prayer and coupled it with his practice of meditation. Lising describes it as a mixture of eastern and western ways.

He teaches his meditation techniques to his debate students to help them focus and visualize during competitions.

Lising said he wishes everyone could reap the benefits of debate. His door is open to any student interested.

Debate in the United States has received a bad rap according to Lising. High school debate in the U.S. is not modeled after the international style, which is the format in which most college debate teams compete.

When high schools adopt the international style, we may expect an increase in ability entering college levels.

Lising describes international debate as enjoyable to participate in and entertaining to watch.

“Debate gets to the heart of the issue at hand. It doesn’t talk above you or below you. It talks to you,” said Lising.

Tomorrow there is a seminar teaching what international debate tournaments are all about as well as what debate itself is about.

If students are unable to attend they can take part in debate practice every Tuesday night.

Its schedule is tentative due to interterm approaching, but students can contact Lising at ext. 4278.

Lising insists that students reading this article may have the potential to be world champions.

Tom Chambers
Other Stories
Jason Cooper, Staff Photographer
Jason Cooper
Other Stories
Previous article
Lambda active again
Next article
Men’s basketball falls short in non-conference match

Latest Stories

Related articles

LV Life

Lordsburg Speech Team showcases winning performers

The Lordsburg Speech Team presented the team’s award winning performers at a showcase Tuesday in La Fetra Lecture Hall.
News

New coach leads speech and debate team to big wins

The University of La Verne’s Lordsburg Speech and Debate Team has seen great success in the 2024-25 academic year, having won 26 awards.
News

Last lecture covers mentorship and growth

About 150 La Verne community members attended the final lecture of Paul Alvarez, beloved professor of kinesiology, who is retiring this year after 38 years at the University. 
News

Standing in solidarity

University Chaplain Zandra Wagoner leads participants in lighting candles during an online event to show solidarity for the Asian American Pacific Islander community Tuesday on Zoom.