A Spider first?

An ornate wooden box is a good place to begin understanding the significance of a recent speaking invitation extended to Bob Ravelli, B’78. Called a despatch box, it once sat in the British House of Commons and came into the possession of Oxford University’s Union as a gift from Winston Churchill. In March, Ravelli spoke using this despatch box as a sort of lecturn, probably the first Spider ever to do so.

Through his eight-minute speech, Ravelli became part of an Oxford University tradition of public debates that extends back to 1823. The debate style mirrors the proceedings of the British parliament, where speakers direct all statements toward the chair and refer to all members as “honorable.” Twelve British prime ministers honed their debating skills there, as have a number of heads of state, politicians, writers, actors, and other celebrities, everyone from Robert Kennedy, Malcolm X, and the Dalai Lama.

The subject of Ravelli’s debate was a resolution, formulated by the hosts, that read, “This house believes the Obama administration has been a success.” Ravelli, invited to speak because of his volunteer work as chair of the Democrats Abroad UK, argued for an affirmative vote. His team included Steven Erlanger, London bureau chief for The New York Times. Among those dissenting was NPR talk show host Tavis Smiley.

“When I got the invitation, it took me a few moments to realize how prestigious this was,” he said. But he buckled down, did his research, and prepared his talk, outlining both big-picture successes and a welcome change in style and tone he believes Obama brought to the White House.

“I rose to the occasion and gave a good performance,” he said. “It’s a bit like theater, so the acting skills I learned when I was in the University Players came in handy.”

Attendees apparently agreed. At the end of the debate, they voted in the traditional way, by walking through doors marked “Yay” and “Nay,” and the motion passed.

The evenings are primarily educational. One Oxford student was a member of each side’s three-person team, and attendees had the opportunity to make a statement supporting or opposing the resolution. In addition, students attended a black-tie reception and dinner before the debate and another reception after it, all opportunities to mingle with each other and the speakers. Oxford students often go on to become political and economic leaders, but for the time being they’re not terribly different from other 19- or 20-year-olds, Ravelli said.

“I found them to be down-to-earth,” he said. “They are like most students at that age, not sure what they want to do when they graduate.”