Shippensburg University’s College of Business students Jonathan Miller and Roderick Porter earned the title of regional runners-up at the 22nd Annual Collegiate Ethics Cases Competition, held on Oct. 10-11. The internationally recognized competition was hosted by the Center for Leadership Ethics at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. 

This was Miller and Porter’s first-ever appearance at the event, making their runner-up titles even more impressive as they competed against 25 colleges and universities across the globe. 

This year, competition participants were asked to investigate the ethical and societal implications of lab-grown meat. Students challenged one another on complex moral questions and presented solutions to a panel of judges. 

The topic was intimidating to both Miller and Porter. “I had no idea what the lab-grown meat industry entailed,” said Miller. “I was quite nervous about presenting at a conference of this magnitude on a subject I did not know.”

“It felt very niche, and it was not a topic that I had heard any conversations about, so it didn’t feel relevant,” Porter said. “However, as we gathered our research and preparation, I grew quite fond of the topic. It posed many great ethical issues: economically, socially and culturally.”

Even though Miller and Porter found the topic to be challenging at first, they tackled it with confidence and impressed the judges with their in-depth research and presentation skills.

Yancy Edwards, associate professor in the Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship noted that Shippensburg was the smallest school in the competition. “We embraced the David and Goliath role,” Edwards said. “Keep in mind that most, if not all, of the universities that competed were not first-timers.”

Edwards also emphasized that Miller and Porter put forth a lot of time and effort toward preparing for the competition. “Jonathan and Roderick knew the central topic arguments and the nuances. They rehearsed their presentation several times,” he said. “Their presentation had good examples and analogies. I thought Jonathan relating this cultured meat to deer meat that his family gets when it hunts was amazing”.

Miller credited Ship’s business curriculum and extracurricular opportunities in helping them perform. “Although we may not have the population of some other large schools, we still have an excellent AACSB-accredited business program,” Miller said. “My experience impacted my understanding of business ethics because it made me think about the real-life applications of applying business ethics in practice. Ethics are the foundation of your company’s success.”

Porter noted that having strong teamwork skills and the ability to be flexible helped him to achieve success. “I believe the key factor was being open to ideas and possibilities while also trusting in our ability to deliver information in a way that was personable and honest,” he said. “Participating in this competition deepened my understanding immensely; experience is the best teacher after all.”

Miller and Porter also expressed gratitude and appreciation for one another. “I want to thank Roderick for his hard work on this project,” Miller said. “Our different backgrounds and life experiences played a crucial role in helping us make the best recommendation possible.”

“It was truly an honor having the chance to work with Jonathan,” Porter said. “Dr. Yancy Edwards is one of a kind; his energy and confidence throughout this process was a driving factor. There’s something really special about having people on your side who can genuinely express confidence, excitement and optimism for you.”

This was Ship’s first time participating in the Collegiate Ethics Case Competition, and Miller and Porter’s runner-up titles are a huge accomplishment not only for them but for the university as a whole. The College of Business looks forward to continuing to send students to participate in this prestigious competition. 

Edwards, who guided the team through a rigorous preparation process involving scholarly and popular sources, described the experience as transformative for everyone involved. “Jonathan and Roderick were fantastic,” he said. “They were well-prepared. They practiced their presentation. They were a team.”

Miller is set to graduate in Fall 2024, and Porter will complete his degree in Spring 2026. Their success at the competition reflects not only their hard work but also the John L. Grove College of Business’s dedication toward developing ethical leaders.