In a time when issues in business ethics are making headlines every day, Stetson University is giving students the opportunity to engage the rich and often complex understanding of the financial, legal, and ethical dimensions surrounding these hot-button topics.  Through the generous support of Troy and Sissy Templeton, the Templeton Business Ethics Case Competition will take place on the Stetson campus March 2-3.  The competition promotes undergraduate ethics education, research, and experiential learning with the goal of encouraging ethical leadership in business institutions.

On Thursday, teams hailing from 14 universities across the country will converge on the Stetson campus:

Auburn University

Bethune-Cookman University

Campbell University

Clemson University

Elon University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Southern College

Jacksonville University

United States Naval Academy

University of Florida

University of North Dakota

University of Pittsburgh

University of Texas—Dallas

“The competition gives students the opportunity to conduct research, develop critical thinking skills as it relates to business ethics, and sharpen their presentation skills,” Jim Beasley, Professor of Management and Co-Director of the Templeton Case Competition explained.

The competition officially kicked off three weeks ago when each team, consisting of two students, received a contemporary business case presenting financial, legal and ethical issues.  The teams were given two weeks to prepare and submit an executive summary and a PowerPoint slide deck to be used in their first-round oral presentation, slated for Friday morning.  The second round of the competition will consist of a question and answer session led by a panel of judges.

Based on performances in the first and second rounds, the bracket winners will make an eight-minute oral presentation to the entire body of twelve judges.  The final round is open to the public and scheduled to take place on Friday at 3:00 p.m. in the Rinker Welcome Center Presentation Room.  This event is open to the public.  Stetson students attending the Templeton finals will receive cultural credit.

Jim Beasley, Ph.D., and John Tichenor, Ph. D., serve as Co-Directors of the Templeton Business Ethics Case Competition which has been hosted by Stetson since 2015.

“Our goal is two-fold, to provide a forum for relevant and exciting experiential learning for students and to become the premier ethics case competition in the East,” said Beasley.