Congratulations to our Virginia Wesleyan team for winning all four of
their rounds in the Cardinal Division at the annual Virginia Foundation
for Independent Colleges/Wells Fargo Ethics Bowl! We applaud Kelsi
Robins ’18 (captain), Alex Powers ’21, Brianna Sandy ’21, Sarah Roscoe
’20, and Sheril Steinberg ’18 for their phenomenal efforts and
representation of the University.
When I attended the Ethics Bowl
dinner program on Sunday evening, the Marlins had already defeated
Marymount and Shenandoah Universities in debates focused on the 2018
theme, “Ethical Issues in a Multicultural Society.” I was proud to hear
much buzz about the room on our students’ outstanding performance, and I
was also impressed by Sarah Roscoe’s case review for those in
attendance.
The VWU team went on to upend Roanoke College and
Hollins University in their next two rounds. Host school Hampden-Sydney,
also in the Cardinal Division, won all four of its rounds as well, and
due to the scoring procedure put in place, advanced to the final round.
Ultimately, Hampden-Sydney surpassed Randolph-Macon College to win the
Ethics Bowl for the fifth time in seven years.
The Ethics Bowl
program had its origins in 1997 with the VFIC Ethics Task Force,
co-chaired by Roger Mudd, History Channel Journalist (retired) and VFIC
trustee, and Phillip Stone, President of Bridgewater College
(1994-2010). The mission of the task force was to explore opportunities
to involve students at the 15 VFIC colleges in the lively debate and
consideration of applied ethics—real world dilemmas that affect people's
lives in increasingly complex ways. While each VFIC institution had
woven ethics into the curriculum and culture of their campuses, the
intent was to strengthen the focus already in place. I am proud to
serve, along with Professor Steven Emmanuel, on the statewide Ethics
Bowl Committee, which is co-chaired by news legend Roger Mudd and my
good friend Ken Garren, President of Lynchburg College.
Founded
in 1952, the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges is a
partnership supporting the programs and students of 15 leading
independent colleges in the Commonwealth: Bridgewater College, Emory
& Henry College, Hampden-Sydney College, Hollins University,
Lynchburg College, Mary Baldwin University, Marymount University,
Randolph College, Randolph-Macon College, Roanoke College, Shenandoah
University, Sweet Briar College, University of Richmond, Virginia
Wesleyan University, and Washington & Lee University.
In
addition to our student participants, we congratulate Professor of
Communication Kathy Merlock Jackson, who serves as faculty coordinator
for the VWU Ethics Bowl Team. Kathy works hard to prepare these
students, and we appreciate her dedication to this valuable endeavor. We
look forward to next year's competition, which will be held at Roanoke
College, and in the meantime, express our pride in our student
competitors and admiration for their extensive preparation and skill as
VWU representatives.
