LC is first runner-up in Ethics Bowl

Lynchburg College’s team finished as runner-up in this year’s Wachovia Ethics Bowl Competition, held at Marymount University in Arlington February 10 and 11. 

LC went undefeated (4-0) in its division, making it to the finals where the team lost narrowly to MaryBaldwinCollege. All 15 colleges in the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges participate in the annual event.

This year’s theme was “Ethics and the Environment.” Teams from Virginia’s private colleges and universities analyzed environmentally oriented, ethical case dilemmas and presented their recommendations for the best ethical solutions.

The LC team included: Chris Bolt, a senior, religious studies and philosophy double major from Forest, Va.; Nick Hagen a sophomore, religious studies and philosophy double major from Roanoke, Va.; Devin Jaeger, a junior, philosophy/political science major from Lynchburg, Va.; Spencer Porr, a junior, political science major from Corlandt Manor, N.Y.; and Daniel Rezai, a sophomore, international relations major from Forest, Va.

Dr. Laura Kicklighter, assistant professor or philosophy and religious studies, was the team’s coach. “Our team gave a stellar performance,” she said. “I’m very proud of them.”

Dr. Kenneth Garren, president of LynchburgCollege, co-chairs the Ethics Bowl with Roger Mudd, former TV broadcaster.

Among the nearly 50 judges for the event were Mudd, Margaret Warner, senior correspondent of PBS’ NewsHour, and Martha-Ann Alito, wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. Justice Alito was at the reception and dinner on Sunday night and LC team member Chris Bolt was seated at his table.

Corporate partners for the 2008 Wachovia Ethics Bowl included lead sponsor Wachovia Bank, Richmond, BAE Systems, Inc., Arlington, GEICO Corporation, Washington, D.C., Dominion, Richmond, the Emily S. and Coleman A. Hunter Charitable Trust, Richmond, and the Trustees of the Emerson G. and Dolores G. Reinsch Foundation, Arlington.

The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges is a nonprofit fund-raising partnership supporting the programs and students of 15 leading private colleges in the commonwealth: Bridgewater College, Emory & Henry College, Hampden-Sydney College, Hollins University, Lynchburg College, Mary Baldwin College, Marymount University, Randolph College, Randolph-Macon College, Roanoke College, Shenandoah University, Sweet Briar College, University of Richmond, Virginia Wesleyan College, and Washington & Lee University.