Gardner‑Webb Ethics Bowl Team Earns Three Wins at 15th Annual Statewide Event

Students Apply University Values to Real‑World Ethical Dilemmas at North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) Competition

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner‑Webb University’s Ethics Bowl team delivered a standout performance at the 15th Annual North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) Ethics Bowl. They earned three victories in four rounds while showcasing disciplined preparation and mission‑centered ethical reasoning.

The event brought together 17 student teams for two days of arguments, and resulted in a historic victory for Johnson C. Smith University as the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) to prevail as champion. The competition centered on the theme, “Ethics in Leadership,” and the GWU students argued their positions on the topics of corporate responsibility, Olympics, atomic bomb, and funding for public schools.

Gardner-Webb’s six-member team is advised by Dr. Anna Sieges‑Beal, associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, and Dr. Shea Stuart, professor of English. “We represented GWU well as our ethical framework is based on the University’s motto ‘pro Deo et Humanitate,’” Sieges-Beal stated. “We evaluate ethical situations according to the principles of life, goodness, justice, and truth telling.”

The team was also supported by Kalem Griffin, a 2025 alumnus from Thomasville, N.C., who competed last year. A graduate student in Gardner-Webb’s Master of Sport Management program, he provided valuable insight and support to the team throughout the competition. Between rounds, Griffin encouraged the team to remain confident, keep their presentation direct, and stay positive. “It was fascinating to be introduced to this year’s Ethics and Leadership cases at the Ethics Bowl for the first time, and I was highly impressed by how the team had prepared for and handled them,” Griffin praised. “As always, our team was exceptional, consistently showing noticeable growth and improvement through each round, and generally being one of the best-performing teams in the entire event.”

Gardner-Webb began preparing for the event in October 2024 by researching nine cases. They don’t find out the topics they will be arguing until the competition. They faced students from William Peace University, Montreat College, Salem College and the University of Mount Olive.

Junior Maeve McGinley commented on how rewarding it was to see all the months of preparation come together in real time. “Even when I was nervous, I felt proud of how our team approached cases with humility and intellectual honesty rather than just trying to win,” she said. “I appreciated how we sharpened one another’s arguments, challenged each other respectfully, and built responses that were stronger because they were communal. It also built a real sense of camaraderie.”

Alaena Locklear, a sophomore, said being at the actual competition was a relief after spending so much time working on the cases. “The nerves settled after the first round, and as a team, our concentration shifted to improving after every debate and strengthening our weak points,” she noted. “I think the best part of being on the team was how strong our teamwork was. Every judge we talked to said wonderful things about how well we worked together, and it really came through in the debates we won.”

Junior Hodges McCathern agreed with his teammate. “It was great to be surrounded by such talented and intelligent people; they make things easy,” he asserted. “Great teams have confidence in each other, know their roles to play, and trust that each person will do their job. I know that I have five teammates I can confidently say are capable of tackling any challenge they may face. I am very thankful for this experience these past two years.”

Issa Cogdell, also a junior, has enjoyed participating in debate competitions since high school. “It was amazing to compete after all the preparation, because you’re able to practice your stance and defend it in real time,” he said. “The best part of being on the team is seeing everyone’s individual strengths shine throughout the preparation period and during the Ethics Bowl itself.”

Initially, sophomore Sophie Boss didn’t know what the commitment involved, but she embraced the opportunity and found the experience deeply rewarding. “It was unlike anything I had ever done before—such an amazing experience that I would definitely do it again,” Boss affirmed. “The most beneficial thing I learned from this event was how important public speaking skills are, as well as how ethics are part of everyday life more than we think. Every conversation can be an ethical conversation, and it is cool to see things from a new perspective now. I would recommend this to everyone to get out of their comfort zone and participate in something like this that will stretch their minds. “

Brock Nikkari, a senior, competed for the second year in a row. “The best part of being on the team is spending time with my friends and representing Gardner‑Webb University,” Nikkari stated. “The most beneficial thing I learned was how to convey my thoughts in a professional and orderly manner. I have found the Ethics Bowl has greatly helped my public speaking skills.”

The team’s accomplishment highlights the depth of talent at Gardner-Webb and underscores the value of experiential learning and the power of teamwork. McGinley summed up the lasting impact of the opportunity. “Ethics Bowl requires you to make a clear claim, defend it with reasoning, and respond to critiques without becoming defensive,” she observed. “I learned how important it is to listen carefully, acknowledge strong points from opposing teams, and refine my thinking on the spot. That skill feels incredibly transferable to both academic work and future vocational settings.”

Team Roster

• Maeve McGinley — Chapin, S.C., psychology and Christian studies with a concentration in discipleship.
• Alaena Locklear — Lawndale, N.C., accounting.
• Hodges McCathern — Lexington, S.C., biochemistry.
• Issa Cogdell — Winston‑Salem, N.C., computer science.
• Sophie Boss — Melbourne, Fla., elementary education.
• Brock Nikkari — Milton, Fla., Christian studies with a concentration in biblical studies.

Ethics Bowl Sponsors

The success of the 2026 Ethics Bowl was made possible by the Independent College Fund of North Carolina (ICFNC), the fundraising arm of NCICU, which raised almost $80,000 in sponsorships. Gardner‑Webb’s 2026 team participation was made possible in part by sponsorship from Fortinet and NFP.

Other sponsors included: Aramark, BHDP, The Budd Group, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Cherry Bekaert, The Council of Independent Colleges, CPL, Duke Energy, French Broad Electric, Guilford College Center for Principled Problem Solving, Huntington National Bank, IMA Financial Group, Jesse and Kay McCartney, Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Old North State Trust, Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation, Liz and Steven Riley, Sageview, Truist Bank, A. Hope Williams, and the Wren Foundation.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.