It was time to pull out the coattails and top hats — not for a ball, but a debate.

Yesterday, Phi Kappa members came dressed in historical attire in celebration of the society’s 190th anniversary.

Phi Kappa President Daniel Wright stands next to Terry Bardagjy as she sports her best 60s outfit. Photo by Jackie Reedy

Phi Kappa members call this annual celebration the “fancy dress ball.” Men dressed in 1820s clothing to celebrate the founding, while women sported 1960s attire to represent the decade women were first admitted into the society.

“Our members will dress-up, unless for some strange reason they can’t. Most people are really into it,” said Andrew Schwegler, a junior and Phi Kappa member from Monroe.

Meeting every Thursday, members train in oratory and debate, often discussing until early hours of the morning. On special occasions, such as last night, debate topics from the past are used. Thursday’s topic, actually used in the 1820s, asked, “Is it more important to have virtue in a woman or intelligence in a man?”

“Our meetings cover all aspects of public speaking,” said Phi Kappa Vice President Terry Bardagjy a junior from Decatur.

Members are daring and eccentric, but welcome all students to participate. At 1 p.m. Saturday, the society will have its formal anniversary open to all University students. The event requires no particular dress and will begin with a debate presented by a senior member.

“I definitely would be interested in being a part of history,” said Abbey Hufstetler, a freshman from Cartersville. “It sounds neat that they want to emulate what it was like when they were founded.”