RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The John T. McLaughlin, M.D., Undergraduate Fellowships in Ethics

A gift from John T. McLaughlin, M.D., a 1937 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Villanova University, makes possible two undergraduate fellowships each year. These fellows will create space for ethics discussions on campus by a variety of creative and innovative means. Fellowships are awarded late in the spring semester each year. The fellowship runs for the duration of the fiscal year after the award (June 1 through the following academic year). All fellowship activities will take place during this time.

2024 Undergraduate Fellows:

Emma Hlousek: Ethical Methods and Alternatives for Medical Waste

This project seeks to draw a connection between medical ethics and environmental ethics, promoting the healing of the environment while making advances in medicine. It aims to spread awareness about the most sustainable methods of medical waste disposal in education, research, and healthcare. It explores how professionals in science, art, and service can discover the possibilities and beauty in their collaboration.

Vinnie Lin: Disparities in Access to Eye Care Due to Economic Inequities

For years, disparities in access to eye care have continued to persist. At the forefront, economic inequities and their corollaries hinder the ability to access eye care, including lack of insurance coverage, limited transportation options, cost of eyeglasses, and more. This project seeks to bring awareness to people of how they can help or how they can receive care, as well as directly assist in clinics that can help provide eye care to those who need it. Informational brochures and club talks will target the Villanova community, while gathering volunteers to provide eye care and eyeglasses will benefit the general community in Pennsylvania.

Details regarding the Fellowships and application instructions can be found in Current Student Resources.

For more information please email: EthicsFellows@villanova.edu

2021-22

Meghan McCarthy: Disparities within Maternal Care for Pregnant Women with Disabilities

Morgan Torre: Representation of Disability in Film

2022-23

Esmerelda Zere: Justice for Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Anna Monaco: Lack of Access to Dental Care for Individuals with Disabilities

Association for Practical and Professional Ethics Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl^®

Since 2000, the Villanova Ethics Program sponsors a team consisting of five undergraduate students to prepare, travel, and compete in the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl^®. This event has regional and national competitions featuring the examination of ethics cases often pulled from the news headlines. It is not a debate, where each side takes opposing views. The goal of the APPE IEB^® is to advance the capacity of students to examine difficult moral issues constructively and respectfully. The national competition, which draws together the top 36 teams from the regional rounds, is held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics.

Our teams often do very well in these competitions—often making it to the final rounds in the national competition. Students interested in joining a team should send their name, year, major (or possible major), along with a statement of interest by email, to Mark Wilson, PhD. Applicants are encouraged to include information about their coursework and background in ethics, along with any questions about the Ethics Bowl team that they may have.

College and University Resources

In addition to resources and opportunities through the Ethics Program, Villanova provides support to undergraduate students in all aspects of their collegiate experience and beyond through the centralized services of the Office for Undergraduate Students, Office of Education Abroad and Career Center.