YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University’s Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Team A placed third at the Central States Ethics Bowl Competition at Marion University, securing a bid to the national Ethics Bowl competition.
Team A competed against the University of Chicago and Oklahoma State and Austin Peay State universities, winning its first two matches and tying in the third. The third-place finish qualifies the team for the national competition, set for early March in St. Louis.
The team is composed of Hunter Barnett, Peyton Hodge, Sofia Myers, Nikechi Onunwor, Noel Shackelford and Brandon Tabak.
“Our students demonstrated exceptional collaborative thinking and professionalism throughout the competition,” said Mark Vopat, a professor of philosophy in the department of Humanities and Social Sciences and ethics bowl coach. “Their ability to work through complex ethical issues under pressure really speaks to their preparation and dedication.”
The accomplishment extends YSU’s long-standing record at regionals – YSU teams have earned a national bid in 10 of the past 11 years. In its nine nationals’ performances, YSU has finished in the top eight teams in the country six times, winning the competition in 2020.
YSU’s two other teams, made up largely of first-time ethics bowl competitors, also delivered strong performances.
Coaches Vopat and Alan Tomhave, associate dean in the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences & Education, also recognized the faculty, staff and community members who served as guest judges and helped prepare students for competition.
Judges included Brian Bonhomme, Dawne Cerney, Cryshanna Jackson Leftwich and David Simonelli, all professors; Mandy Fehlbaum and Adam Fuller, associate professors; and Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez, distinguished professor emeritus, all in humanities and social sciences; attorneys Meredith Treat and Melissa Warheit; Christina Saenger, dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration; Stephanie Smith, professor in art; A.J. Sumell, professor in Lariccia School of Accounting & Finance; and Eva Lamberson, YSU graduate and former Ethics Bowl participant.
“The support from our campus community is a major part of our success each year,” Tomhave said. “The constructive feedback our judges provide helps students refine their arguments and sharpen their position on the cases they will be discussing at the competition.”