UF Warrington students place in the top at ethics case competition

GAINESVILLE, Fla. –  Warrington College of Business students Crystal McDuffy and Justin Schlakman won the top spot in their division at the Templeton Business Ethics Case Competition at Stetson University, as well as placing third overall in the competition.

McDuffy, a junior marketing student, and Schlakman, a junior combined undergraduate finance and Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management student, won $1,000 for their third-place win. The duo was coached by Michelle Darnell.

The Templeton Business Ethics Case Competition, for undergraduate students from invited institutions, gives students an opportunity to sharpen their analytical and critical thinking and presentation skills as they develop an executive summary of their analysis for a specified case.

This year, the topic of the case was to analyze the ethical implications of Allergan, a pharmaceutical company, transferring its patent for Restasis (a drug treatment to treat chronic dry-eye) to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

After receiving the case, teams were given 2 weeks to prepare their executive summary and presentation, which was later given in front of judges during the event. Winners from each round then gave a final presentation to all of the event attendees.

Campbell University came in first place, followed by University of Calgary in second place.

Other participating universities included Belmont University, Bethune-Cookman University, Clemson University, Elon University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Southern College, Florida State University, Georgetown University, Iowa State University, Jacksonville University, St. Petersburg College, United States Naval Academy and University of North Dakota.

Learn more about the Business Ethics Case Competition team and the Elizabeth B. & William F. Poe, Sr. Business Ethics Center.