MHU Team Competes in Ethics Bowl

February 11, 2025

Mars Hill University students joined their counterparts from 18 other private colleges across North Carolina for the 2025 Ethics Bowl, exploring the theme of Ethics in Health and Wellness. Hosted by North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU), the 14th annual event was held Friday and Saturday, February 7 and 8, in Raleigh.

Each Ethics Bowl team consists of four-to-six students. A campus coordinator works with the students to prepare them for the competition. Mars Hill’s team of four students was coordinated by Ryan Bell, director of advising and first-year academic success.

Team members were:

• Cassie Berry, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Hickory, North Carolina
• Alexis Allen, a junior criminal justice major from Asheville, North Carolina
• Thomas “TJ” Burske, a sophomore business administration and religion and philosophy major from Apopka, Florida
• Artakia “AJ” Rivers, a first-year art therapy major from Douglasville, Georgia

The competition consisted of four rounds over the two days, plus semi-final and final rounds, with civic, corporate, nonprofit, and government leaders volunteering as judges and moderators for the matches. The rounds were awarded to the teams that made the most sound, persuasive presentations. Mars Hill’s team defeated Louisburg College and had close matches against NC Wesleyan University, St. Andrews University, and Montreat College.

The NCICU Ethics Bowl is made possible by sponsorships that allow students to participate at no cost to themselves or their institutions. Mars Hill’s team was sponsored by French Broad Electric Membership Corporation.

Any students interested in participating in future Ethics Bowls should contact Prof. Bell at rbell@mhu.edu. and plan on enrolling in the philosophy class PHI 105 Ethics Bowl in the fall semester.