The Chowan University team placed second at the annual Ethics Bowl hosted by North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU). One hundred and twenty-seven students from 24 schools across North Carolina competed on February 16 and 17 at the North Carolina Legislative complex in Raleigh. The topic this year was “Ethics and the Future of Community.”

“The Ethics Bowl is a challenging and rewarding educational experience for our students,” said NCICU president Dr. Hope Williams. “Determining ethical responses to complex situations leads to personal awareness and valuable discussion among team members and participating business and community leaders.”

Each Ethics Bowl team consists of four-to-six students. A campus coordinator works with the students to prepare them for the competition. More than 70 business, non-profit, and government professionals serve as judges and moderators.

The Chowan University team is led by campus coordinators Dr. J. Brabban, E. Lee Oliver Fagan Professor of Bible and Professor of Religion, and Dr. Keith Reich, Department of Religion Chair and Associate Professor of Religion. Student participants included Alyssa Born, a junior business administration major from Dyer, IN, Kyle Davison a senior sport management major from Durham, NC, Regina Jones a senior religion major from Fayetteville, NC, Courtney O’Keefe a junior criminal justice major from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Sean Timmons a senior religion major from Poquoson, VA.

Regina Jones said, “This opportunity gives individuals the ability to vocalize the notion that the world is not merely black and white; the world is a spectrum of ideas and concepts. It helps groups and individuals learn how to debate, process thoughts, and be confident in their ideals. I hope everyone will realize it is all of our responsibility to help others appreciate diversity of thought.

"We had three students return from last year's semifinal team, Courtney O'Keefe, Kyle Davison, and Sean Timmons, and that experience showed as they pressed past the semi-finals into the finals.  Newcomers Regina Jones and Alyssa Born also came through to push this team to its great finish," stated Dr. Reich.

After four rounds of competition the four teams with the most wins, Barton College, Chowan University, Gardner-Webb University, and Salem College, competed in two semifinal rounds. The topic focused on cyber communities and how to exercise personal responsibility to ensure ethical standards and practices in social media.

Chowan University advanced to the final round for the first time in the school’s history, along with Salem College. The topic for the final round centered around the ethics of deporting undocumented immigrants. In the end, Salem College won the competition.

Courtney O’Keefe joined the Ethics Bowl Team because she wanted experience in debate to prepare for law school. She was part of the team last year that made it to the semi-finals and said, “Losing in the semi-finals last year was disheartening and tough. This year, the final round was close, and I'm extremely proud of all my colleagues for leaving everything out there and representing our school as well as we did!”

Sean Timmons said, “I’m so incredibly proud of this team. Last year we finished in the top four, but this year we made it to the NCICU Ethics Bowl Finals. We didn’t win, but each time we’re improving and I have high hopes for next year.”

"This was a special team that fought hard in every match and proved that Chowan can compete with any Ethics Bowl team in the NCICU. In fact, I think next year no one will want to face Chowan," Dr. Reich said.

All of the students were appreciative of their campus coordinators. O’Keefe stated, “I want to thank Dr. Brabban and Dr. Reich again for their continuous support and endless devotion to this program and group of people. With their help, we've been able to set a reputation for ourselves and a legacy for years to come.”

Join Chowan University in congratulating the Chowan Ethics Bowl Team!