Gardner-Webb Students Participate in 2025 Ethics Bowl Sponsored by North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities

Teams from 19 Schools Explored Ethical Questions Related to Health and Wellness

By Chloe Cloutier, Intern for University Communications

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University students from across campus competed recently in the 2025 North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) Ethics Bowl. Teams from 19 schools participated in his year’s event that explored ethical questions related to health and wellness. The two-day event was held in the North Carolina Legislative Building and Legislative Office Building in Raleigh.

Gardner-Webb campus coordinators, Assistant Professor Dr. Anna Sieges-Beal and Professor of English Dr. Shea Stuart met with students for several weeks to prepare for the competition. The Ethics Bowl included four rounds for all teams, with each match judged by three volunteers. In each match, two teams paired off to discuss the issues. Sieges-Beal noted the topics that students studied and discussed: the ethical ramifications of physician-assisted suicide, the mental health crisis, providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants, rationing healthcare, and the efficacy of Neuralink, a brain-computer interface.

The Gardner-Webb team included:

• Issa Cogdell, sophomore, computer science.
• Brock Nikarri, sophomore, biblical studies.
• Dylin Waldorf, senior, philosophy.
• Kalem Griffin, senior, sports management.
• Hodges McCathern, junior, biomed.

The students researched the topics, and Waldorf enjoyed meeting with her fellow students to discuss what they had learned. “The Ethics Bowl event has been one of my favorite things I have participated in while at Gardner-Webb,” she stated. “Even though we were dedicated to gathering information and practicing, we still managed to have a good time. One of the neat things about the actual competition was how gratifying it was to put all of the research and hard work into practice.”

Waldorf continued, “Getting to compete in the Legislative Building was slightly daunting, but it truly made the experience that much more unique. Some of these unique benefits included competing in the different conference rooms in the building, using the microphones to speak—it makes you feel rather professional—and honing your public speaking and improvisation skills. Even though we were nervous, we still laughed and had a good time while we were competing, and it did not inhibit our ability to perform.”

McCathern appreciated the chance to connect with students from the other schools and to meet some of the policy makers for the state of North Carolina. He was proud of his team’s performance at the Ethics Bowl. “Through this event, I learned about teamwork and collaboration,” he stated. “As this was my first year competing, I was able to broaden my horizons by being able to listen to people with perspectives different than my own.”

McCathern added, “In my opinion, as a team, we represented Gardner-Webb and conveyed our motto, ‘pro Deo et Humanitate’ (For God and Humanity). It was a pleasure to represent the University this year, and I look forward to representing the University again sometime soon.”

Through the event, Griffin said he was able to enhance his skills in several areas. “By constantly working to remain structured and organized while competing alongside an excellent group of peers throughout the event, I have improved my skills in organizing ideas, arguments and concepts, and strategically collaborating with others,” Griffin affirmed. “As I was frequently required to speak when our team made responses, my viability and comfort in public speaking grew noticeably.”  

Nikarri’s favorite part of the Ethics Bowl was just being there with his friends and representing Gardner-Webb against other independent colleges and universities across the state of North Carolina.

He observed two important lessons from the experience. “I learned how to connect with so many different people in such a short amount of time,” Nikarri related, “and how to coherently communicate my team’s side of a conversation in a sophisticated and effective way.”

Chloe Cloutier is a senior communication studies major.

About the NCICU Ethics Bowl

For 14 years, the NCICU Ethics Bowl has challenged students to explore ethical questions about vital societal issues. The NCICU Ethics Bowl is made possible by sponsorships that allow students to participate at no cost to themselves or their institutions. Gardner-Webb’s sponsor for 2025 was Constellation Quality Health.

About Gardner-Webb

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. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.