Ethics events provide training for students

A pair of University of North Georgia (UNG) student groups are gaining valuable training through ethics bowl competitions.

For the first time since 2015, UNG's Ethics Bowl team competed at the National Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl competition held this year in Portland, Oregon. From March 4-5, six UNG students and their coaches Dr. James Grindeland, lecturer of philosophy and Dr. Rose Procter, director of the TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership, competed as one of the 36 qualifying teams and the only University System of Georgia school.

The team presenting was made up of UNG students Jessica Kagansky, Estacia Lawhorn, Anna Møller, Taylor Mullikin, Luke Robinson and Daniel Yarman. Procter said despite the scoring outcome she's proud of these students and knows it provided a lot of value to their future endeavors.

"Competing is a challenge – academically, professionally and personally. It is something the students expressed was very rewarding," Procter said. "We're preparing them through real-world experiences to lead in a diverse and global society, supporting UNG’s mission."

UNG competed against four teams with a win against the University of Baltimore, a tie with the University of California – San Diego, and losses against the University of Mississippi and the national champion U.S. Naval Academy.

We're preparing them through real-world experiences to lead in a diverse and global society, supporting UNG’s mission.

Dr. Rose Procter

director of the TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership

Not only did the trip engage students in human, leadership and cultural development, but it also served as the first airplane ride or trip to Oregon for some.

"Ethics play a crucial role in any leadership position, and being able to delve into so many complex ethical issues has helped open my perspective on many issues," Møller, a senior from Copenhagen, Denmark, pursuing a degree in psychology, said. "It has increased my ability to critically think. Having never been to Portland before, it was very meaningful to experience a new city and gain a broader experience of the U.S."

UNG cadets Jaelyn Baker, David Collins, Justin Tamburo, Sophia Thacker, Dale Wanner and Jared Windsor will compete against the other five senior military colleges in the first Senior Military College Ethics Bowl on March 25. Launched with inspiration from the Respect and Ethical Dilemma Initiative training all UNG Cadets undergo, the event is expected to start deep ethical conversations across all military branches.

UNG will host the virtual event. Competitors were given case topics including artificial intelligence in the military, COVID-19 vaccines, use of drone strikes, service accommodations, use of performance and protection drugs in the military, fiction plus intelligence and Chabot's: ChatGPT, a natural language processing tool driven by artificial intelligence technology.

"Ethics Bowl not only leans into the vision of UNG being a catalyst around ethical thought and critical thinking, but supports our mission, vision and values," Procter said.