Randolph-Macon College’s student team took home the Batten Trophy as winners of the 23rd annual Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) Ethics Bowl championship on January 30, 2023.

The team, made up of Kelsey Johnson ’23, Travis McDaniel ’23, Olivia Redman ’24, and Ren Hinchey ’25, won five separate matches over two days, defeating Marymount University, the University of Richmond, the University of Lynchburg, Sweet Briar College, and Mary Baldwin University. The yearly competition features head-to-head match-ups against other highly qualified student teams from Virginia’s leading independent colleges and universities, deliberating a variety of case studies relating to this year’s Ethics Bowl event theme “Ethics and Digital Media.” Notable individuals from a variety of career fields listen to team presentations and offer reactions to the students’ presentations.

“It was a delight coaching this year’s team,” RMC professor and Ethics Bowl coach Ruth Beerman said. “By listening and implementing feedback, they grew in their argument and team development. I’m so proud of what they accomplished and how well they represent the very best of Randolph-Macon!”

 This is RMC’s third Ethics Bowl title and its first since 2010. The College hosted the 2022 competition and finished runner-up to the University of Richmond. This year’s competition was held at Virginia Wesleyan University. The VFIC Ethics Bowl began in 1997 with the mission of involving students at the VFIC colleges and universities in the lively debate and consideration of applied ethics.