TUSKEGEE, Ala. - (November 28, 2006) - The Tuskegee University Ethics Bowl team won preliminary matches during the Southeast Ethics Bowl Regional Competition this month to earn a spot among the final four to compete at the National Ethics Bowl Competition in Cincinnati, on Feb. 22.
The team won the first match by one point against the University of North Carolina-Charlotte; the second match by four points against the University of Central Florida, Orlando; and the third match by three points against Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fla.
"The Ethics Bowl provides a unique opportunity for students to develop the intellectual tools and poise necessary to publicly address contemporary ethical issues and justice concerns," says Dr. Leonard Ortmann, one of the team's coaches.
Tuskegee's fellow finalists include Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.; and the U.S. Military Academy had previously been national competition finalists. Tuskegee finished third, losing the Southeast regional championship to Eckerd College.
The Southeast Ethics Bowl's Nov. 18th regional competition held on the University of South Florida's campus in St. Petersburg, included Tuskegee and 19 other teams. Other teams included Barry University, Miami Shores, Fla.; Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn.; Clemson; Eckerd; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.; Florida Atlantic; Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.; Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Ga.; Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, Fla.; U.S. Military Academy; Central Florida; University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.; University of Miami, Miami; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; UNC-Charlotte; University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Fla.; University of Richmond, Richmond, Va.; and University of South Florida-Tampa.
The only historically Black college or university to compete in the national Ethics Bowls, Tuskegee University began competing in 2000.
Five students competed on this year's Tuskegee University team - Makeba Clarke, a senior biology major and bioethics minor from Boston. Frances Jordan, a junior political science major from Lexington, Ky.; Cherline Lee, sophomore biology major from Detroit Lakes, Minn.; Kara Pickett, a sophomore animal science major from Wilberforce, Ohio; and Mark Shannon, senior political science major from Queens, N.Y.
"The Ethics Bowl is a wonderful way for students to learn, understand and display their knowledge of ethics, and Tuskegee is able to compete with the best schools in this area," says Frances Jordan, a member of the Ethics Bowl team who also serves as the University's SGA vice president. "I personally have an exciting time competing at the Ethics Bowl, and I know Tuskegee will excel at nationals."
Dr. Ortmann, senior associate for programs and Dr. Isaac Mwase, professor of philosophy both work for the University's National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care and serve as coaches for the Ethics Bowl team with the assistance of Dr. Caroline Gebhard of the University's English department.
Dr. Mwase, a 10-year veteran of Ethics Bowl competitions, says he is excited about the growing numbers of African-American students at the bowl competitions. "Our success positions us well to provide leadership to HBCUs and other schools in using the Ethics Bowl as an effective tool in training students how to address important ethical issues facing society today," he says.
