A student team from Hollins University has won the 15th annual statewide collegiate Wells Fargo Ethics Bowl, held February 9-10 at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland.
The event is sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC).
Hollins competed head-to-head against other student teams from Virginia’s independent colleges and universities, debating a variety of case studies highlighting ethical dilemmas. The theme of this year’s event was “Ethics and Health Care.” Many notable personalities from business, law, education, finance, journalism, and other fields listened to team presentations and offered reactions.
Team members from Hollins included Morgan Blalock ’16, Madchen Specht ’16, and Rory Keeley ’17. Associate Professor of Philosophy James Downey served as faculty coordinator.
Hollins first won three of its four Commonwealth Division matches, beating Washington and Lee University, Sweet Briar College, and Lynchburg College (the team’s lone loss was to Randolph College). Hollins and Sweet Briar shared 3-1 records to lead their division, but Hollins was awarded the tie-breaker for the division title as a result of defeating Sweet Briar head-to-head.
In the Ethics Bowl final, Hollins earned victory against Cardinal Division winner Bridgewater College. “Our team chose to defend a more difficult position that was probably not the one most people would agree with,” said Downey, “but they did a great job of arguing that view and their presentation was sharp. The judges clearly saw that.”
He added, “None of our team members had been to the Ethics Bowl before, and none were juniors or seniors. I am very proud of our Bowlers.”
Founded in 1952, the VFIC is a nonprofit fundraising partnership supporting the programs and students of 15 leading independent colleges and universities in the commonwealth. In addition to Hollins, VFIC members include Bridgewater College, Emory & Henry College, Hampden-Sydney College, Lynchburg College, Mary Baldwin College, Marymount University, Randolph College, Randolph-Macon College, Roanoke College, Shenandoah University, Sweet Briar College, University of Richmond, Virginia Wesleyan College, and Washington and Lee University.
