Winners of the 2019 Ethics Essay contest

Dr. Dan Lee has announced the winners of the 14th annual Ethics Essay Contest sponsored by the Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics. 

"The outside evaluator who read the essays and selected six for recognition commented on the high quality of all the essays and noted that it is always difficult selecting the ones for recognition," he said.

The winning essays will be published in Augustana Digital Commons.

The winning essays are:    

First place: Nadia Ayensah, “The Ethical (or Not So Ethical) Story behind Your Bar of Chocolate.” She is a senior from Cape Coast, Ghana, majoring in political science and philosophy.

Second place:  Hannah Vercellotti, “Health for All: Using Utilitarianism to Require Childhood Vaccinations." She is a senior from Joliet, Ill., majoring in psychology.

Third place:  William Reece, “The Ethical Evaluation of Mass Incarceration in the United States.” He is a junior from Hudson, Wis., majoring in political science.

Honorable mention:

Olivia Roden, “The Necessary Evil of Confederate Monuments and Memorials." She is a sophomore from Monmouth, Ill., majoring in political science.

Elisabeth Vlasak, “Ethical Concerns of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis." She is a junior from Lockport, Ill., majoring in public health and biology.

Zachary L. Myatt, “To Think Boldly:  An Analysis of Christian Thought and Ethics within the Star Trek Universe.” He is a junior from Le Clair, Iowa, majoring in vocal music education.

The Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics was established to enrich the teaching-learning experiences for Augustana students by providing greater opportunities for them to meet and interact with community leaders and to encourage discussions of issues of ethical significance through campus programs and community outreach.

Dr. Lee, whose teaching responsibilities since joining the Augustana faculty in 1974 have included courses in ethics, serves as the center’s director.