NCICU 2026 Ethics Bowl
“Ethics in Leadership” | NCICU Ethics Bowl History
For 15 years, the NCICU Ethics Bowl has challenged students to explore ethical questions about vital societal issues. Students spend months researching case studies and deciding on the arguments they will present. This is not a debate. Opposing teams may be on the same side of the issue. They are judged on their preparation, their knowledge of academic ethical theories, and how compelling they present their view of the issue employing clear ethical principles.
The Ethic Bowl features four rounds of competition for all teams. In each match within each round, two teams will be paired off. Each match will be judged by three volunteers – business representatives, community leaders, and legislators fill those slots. A volunteer moderator facilitates the match, keeping the timing tight and the atmosphere professional. The semi-final round includes the four teams with the greatest number of wins, and the outcome of the semi-finals produces the two teams for the final round.
NCICU will hold its annual Ethics Bowl in person on Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7, 2026. The theme of this year’s competition is “Ethics in Leadership.” We are pleased to announce that 18 NCICU campuses are participating!
The event will be held in its traditional two-day schedule with three rounds of competition on Friday afternoon and the fourth, semi and final rounds on Saturday morning. Each Ethics Bowl team consists of four-to-six students. A campus coordinator works with the students to prepare them for the competition. A number of civic, corporate, non-profit, and government leaders volunteer each year to serve as judges and moderators for the matches.
Case Author and Advisory Committee
An Advisory Committee decides on the theme for each year’s Ethics Bowl, with input from the campus coordinators. The case author is Ken Wernick, senior counsel, retired, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He drafts up to 12 cases around the chosen theme, which are then reviewed by the Advisory Board. Six cases are selected: four for the matches, one of which is a “surprise” case, and one each for the semi-final and final matches.
Sponsorships | Ethics Bowl Sponsorship Form
With a budget of more than $90,000 each year, the NCICU Ethics Bowl is made possible by sponsorships that allow students to participate at no cost to themselves or their institutions. Though we have had numerous faithful sponsors over the years, it is becoming increasingly difficult to raise those critical funds. To become a sponsor of the Ethics Bowl, click here or contact Colleen Kinser, [email protected], or 919.832.5817.
Sponsors
- BHDP
- The Budd Group
- Coca-Cola Consolidated
- Cherry Bekaert
- The Council of Independent Colleges
- CPL
- Duke Energy
- Fortinet
- French Broad Electric
- Guilford College Center for Principled Problem Solving and Excellence in Teaching
- Huntington National Bank
- IMA Financial Group
- Jesse and Kay McCartney
- Mt. Olive Pickle Company
- NFP
- Old North State Trust
- Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation
- Liz and Steven Riley
- Sageview
- Truist Bank
- A. Hope Williams
- Wren Foundation
Sponsorships cover:
Campus Team Funding
Stipends for Campus Coordinators
Hotel accommodations for student team members and coordinators
The Ethics Bowl Banquet
Commemorative gifts
Refreshments throughout the event
Schedule
Job Descriptions
2026 Participating Teams
Barton College – Sponsored by Truist
Campbell University – Sponsored by Cherry Bekaert and Old North State Trust
Catawba College – Sponsored by IMA Financial Group
Gardner-Webb University – Sponsored by Fortinet and NFP
Guilford College – Sponsored by The Center for Principled Problem Solving and Excellence in Teaching
High Point University – Sponsored by The Wren Foundation
Johnson C. Smith University – Sponsored by Duke Energy
Livingstone College – Sponsored by The Budd Group
Mars Hill University – Sponsored by French Broad Electric
Methodist University– Sponsored by The Huntington National Bank and Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation
Montreat College – Sponsored by Coca-Cola Consolidated
NC Wesleyan University – Sponsored by Aramark
Pfeiffer University – Sponsored by Jesse and Kay McCartney
Queens University of Charlotte – Sponsored by BHDP Architecture
University of Mount Olive – Sponsored by Mt. Olive Pickle Company
Salem College – Sponsored by Sageview
William Peace University – Sponsored by CPL
Wingate University – Sponsored by The Huntington National Bank