Catawba College students will be among representatives of 21 other campuses across North Carolina participating in the eighth annual Ethics Bowl hosted by North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.

The teams will debate the topic “Ethics and the Environment” at the competition, which will be held Friday and Saturday at the North Carolina Legislative complex in Raleigh.

Catawba students participating include Cassie James of Robbins; Eleanor King of Matthews; Hannah Ryan of Roseanna, Australia; and Bryana Eller of Randleman. Norris T. Feeney, an assistant professor of politics, is the team’s campus coordinator.

“The Ethics Bowl is both academically challenging and personally rewarding experience for our students,” said Hope Williams, president of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. “Determining ethical responses to complex situations leads to personal awareness and valuable discussion among team members and participating business and community leaders.”

Each Ethics Bowl team consists of four to six students. A campus coordinator works with the students to prepare them for four rounds over the two days, plus semifinal and final rounds.

In each round, a case study outlining a complex ethical situation related to the environment will be presented to the teams for debate. The round is awarded to the team that makes the most sound, persuasive presentation. About 60 business, nonprofit and government professionals will serve as judges and moderators.

A banquet for campus participants, judges, moderators and sponsors will be held on Friday at the North Carolina Museum of History. Keynote speaker Jay Barnes, president and CEO of the North Carolina Aquarium Society, will share his perspective of the state’s aquatic resources and the society’s work as environmental stewards

In addition to Catawba College, other member colleges and universities participating in this year’s Ethics Bowl include Barton College, Belmont Abby College, Campbell University, Chowan University, Gardner-Webb University, High Point University, Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, Louisburg College, Mars Hill University, Meredith College, Montreat College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Queens University of Charlotte, St. Andrews University, Saint Augustine’s University, Salem College, University of Mount Olive, Wake Forest University, William Peace University and Wingate University.