Union News

RALEIGH, N.C. – Wingate University’s team took second place in the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities’ annual Ethics Bowl over the weekend, falling short to Queens University in the final round. The two-day event, held at the N.C. Legislative Complex in Raleigh, involved teams from 16 campuses across the state.

Dr. Rob Prevost, faculty advisor to the group, said the team worked well together and had practiced diligently for the event, which included challenging questions about Ethics in Contemporary Society. The teams were given 10 case studies in advance but had no idea what particular questions they would be asked. In just five minutes, they had to come up with a reasoned response and present it orally to the judges and the opposing team. The event involved four rounds of questions, plus semifinal and final rounds. Volunteer professionals served as judges to determine which team made the most sound, persuasive presentation.

“We had a very cohesive group, and one judge even commented on how our team seemed to really like one another,” Prevost sa

He said the six students – juniors Camila Collante and Viviana Espinosa; sophomores Brigitte Gonzalez-Amado and Tanaka Nzombe; and freshmen Isaiah Moore and Brooklyn Vereen – started off nervous, but got more relaxed and better during each round of the competition. 

“The last three rounds, including the final, were definitely the hardest, but our team rose to the occasion until the final round,” Prevost said.

The experience was a first for the entire team. Long-time religion and philosophy professor Edwin Bagley had fielded a team for many years but retired in 2020, just as the pandemic began. This year, the 12th bowl for the NCICU, was the first one in person since then. 

“After a two-year layoff due to Covid, we really weren’t expecting much,” Prevost said. “Our preparation, particularly the timed practice sessions, actually did prepare us for the competition.  It was a good event.”

Wingate’s team was sponsored by Centrica Business Solutions.

Learn more about Wingate’s team and how preparing for the Ethics Bowl has benefited them.

Original source can be found here.