Two Grossman students, Andi Hey and Katie Lukes, represented UVM at the Collegiate Ethics Case Competition held last week at the University of Arizona’s Eller School of Business.

The Eller competition is long-running and highly regarded, and this year 25 universities from the United States, Canada and Mexico were invited to compete.

The competition comprised of a case asking how -- given ethical, legal, and financial considerations -- a large corporation should respond to a massive data hack.  The two-student teams were given a little over a week to research the pertinent issues, and then prepare a recommendation to the hypothetical corporation’s Board of Directors. 

The 25 teams were divided into 5 groups for the initial two rounds of the competition – a 30-minute presentation and then a 10-minute question and answer session.  The high scoring team from each division advanced to the final round, which featured a condensed 10-minute presentation with one follow-up question. 

Last year’s winners, the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) team, advanced from UVM’s group, while Andi and Katie were recognized as runners-up in the group, a notable accomplishment and a “podium finish.”  The USNA team went on to finish second in the competition to the University of Calgary. 

Grossman coach John Monahan said “Andi and Katie’s analysis was superb and their presentation was quite professional.  Their performance reflected exceedingly well on their education here at Grossman.” 

Thanks, also, to Assistant Professor Kenneth De Roeck, who found the time to advise Katie and Andi regarding some of the ethical issues presented by the case.

The competing teams were:

  • Arizona State University
  • Boston College
  • Elon University
  • Emory University
  • Georgetown University 
  • Indiana University
  • Iowa State University 
  • La Salle University
  • MacEwan University 
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Providence College 
  • Simon Fraser University (Canada)
  • Stetson University
  • United States Naval Academy
  • Universidad Panamericana (Mexico)
  • University of Calgary (Canada) 
  • University of Florida
  • University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
  • University of Iowa
  • University of North Dakota
  • University of Oregon
  • University of Pittsburgh 
  • University of Texas, Austin
  • University of Texas, Dallas
  • University of Vermont 

 

Eller Ethics Case Competition