A team fielded by Gonzaga University took top honors at a statewide student ethics competition, while Whitworth University's team took second place.

Sponsored by the Independent Colleges of Washington, the competition pitted student teams from 10 private, nonprofit colleges and universities statewide against each other during a daylong event April 17 at Seattle Pacific University. Last year, Whitworth finished in first place and Gonzaga took second.

The competition is designed to test the students’ knowledge of applied ethics, communication skills, team work, and ability to think quickly and speak clearly about important issues. Teams consist of up to five students who respond to ethical dilemmas ranging from corruption and corporal punishment to social media experimentation and euthanizing zoo animals to preserve genetic diversity.

Gonzaga's team included: Mark Ornelas, a junior studying psychology and philosopy; Helen Xun, a senior studying biochemistry; Ian Hammer, a senior studying biochemistry; Macklen Scribner, a junior studying economics and philosophy; and Alyssa Bashor, a junior studying sociology and international relations. Patrick Conway, a junior studying philosophy and English, served as the alternate. Their coach is philosophy professor Erik Schmidt.

Whitworth's team, nicknamed the "Philosoraptors, included: Seniors Jonathan Kim, Rebecca Korf and Sarah Sauter; and juniors Brennan Neal and TJ Westre.

 

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