Ethics Bowl team second in nation for second year

For the second consecutive year, Youngstown State University’s Ethics Bowl team placed second in the nation in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl competition in Dallas.

The YSU team includes: Lindsay Heldreth of Canfield, a Philosophy and Religious Studies major; Rachael Jenkins of Youngstown, a Philosophy and Communications Studies major; Tyler Miller-Gordon of Hubbard, a Philosophy and French major; and Jacob Schriner-Briggs of Youngstown, a Philosophy and Political Science major. The team is coached by Alan Tomhave, associate professor and chair of Philosophy and Religious Studies.

The team qualified for the national contest, hosted by the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, after placing first at the Central States Regional Ethics Bowl competition at Marian University in Indianapolis last fall. About 200 teams compete in the regional tourneys.

The national competition in Dallas brought together 37 teams from across the nation, including Tufts, Northwestern, Clemson, Cal Poly and Villanova. In the quarterfinal round, the YSU team beat Whitworth University, last year’s winners. In the finals, a team from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point bested the Penguins.

At the competition, teams argue and defend their moral assessment of complex ethical issues facing society today. Questions address a wide array of topics in business and professional ethics, in personal relationships, and in social and political affairs. The cases discussed in the final round on the national competition dealt with the United States’ usage of drones and government whistleblowing.

Tomhave said the Ethics Bowl team practices twice a week. Practices are also attended by faculty from across campus, including three colleges.

“I want to thank all the faculty who helped prepare the team for the competition,” he said “You all put in many hours helping the team out and that help was crucial in the team’s achievement.”

He also thanked Samantha Fritz and Jake Tomory, students who showed up every week to play the opposing team in practices. “They are amazing, and I am looking forward to working with them in the future, both in classes and with the Ethics Bowl,” he said.