The annual statewide collegiate Ethics Bowl, hosted on the campus of Randolph-Macon, challenged students to consider and debate what it means to live an ethical life during the pandemic. 

The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) and Wells Fargo sponsored the event, now in its 22nd year of competition, which featured four rounds of case studies relating to this year’s Ethics Bowl theme, “Pandemic Ethics.” RMC brought two teams to the Ethics Bowl, one of which—consisting of Jami Reese Darling ’22, Chloe Hodges ’22, Quinn Wilson ’22, and Nathan Wright ’21—captured the Cardinal Division and was declared the runner-up at the end of the two-day, head-to-head event held on January 30-31. 

Randolph-Macon joined 13 other student teams from Virginia’s leading independent colleges and universities at the event, which utilized the recently renovated Blackwell Auditorium. The VFIC consortium includes 15 colleges and universities, including Randolph-Macon College. Judging each team’s presentations were distinguished professionals from a variety of fields including law, journalism, business, education, and finance.

Other Yellow Jackets who competed in the Ethics Bowl included Kelsey Johnson ’23, Matthew Montgomery ’22, Mae Rohlk ’24, Brianna Tsitsera ’22, and Conner Wagstaff ’22. Dr. Lauren Bell, Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Political Science, and Dr. Ruth Beerman, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, served as faculty advisors.

“The annual VFIC Ethics Bowl provides our students with a terrific opportunity to engage in critical thinking and decision making about the ethical dilemmas that we all confront throughout our lives,” said Dean Bell. “Through the networking opportunities afforded by the Ethics Bowl event, the students also have the chance to meet important leaders in Virginia’s education, business, and legal communities, and to learn from them how the skills that the Ethics Bowl reinforces—critical thinking, clear communication, and principled decision making—will serve our students well as they contemplate their careers and lives after college.”

A team from the University of Richmond took home the Batten Trophy in the final. 

VFIC President Dr. Matt Shank stated, “The Ethics Bowl once again showcased the power of a liberal arts education. The students were all strong communicators, poised, demonstrated their critical thinking skills, and had outstanding ethical judgment and instincts.”