3 'Berg students win ethics competition

The Intercollegiate Ethics Case Competition crowned the team from Heidelberg University winner during the competition in February. Students are David Haines, Ryan Waskiewicz and Spencer Tredwell. The students were joined by Scott Miller, an accounting professor. Students in the majors of undergraduate and graduate-level accounting, finance and information systems were featured during the competition. The competition was to have students present solutions to a case study involving ethics in accounting, according to a release from the university. Case materials were provided to teams on Jan 1. From there, they reviewed and discussed only with their teammates and advisors. The case study this year gave students a look into the emerging issues surrounding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) accounting and reporting. "For Heidelberg to win this event and join the list of winners that includes schools like Baldwin Wallace, Case Western Reserve and Kent State, it's a proud moment for everyone," Miller said. Miller said this was Heidelberg's first year of competition. Teams had to prepare a five-page response to the critical issues identified in the case materials. From there, teams had to record a 15-minute presentation. The paper and presentation were judged by Cleveland State professors and Cleveland audit practitioners. "My role was to inspire them to believe that they could win," Miller said. Student-athlete Waskiewicz said he felt extremely proud of the team. "I knew we had all put in a serious amount of time and effort and was happy to see that effort manifested into a win," Waskiewicz said. Haines, too, said the win helped him realize the time the team spent researching, discussing and building a great presentation was validated. "I was confident in our presentation and our paper, but I also knew we were going up against some very smart students from other schools," Haines said. Tredwell said as a student-athlete it was a good experience to bring credibility to Heidelberg off the field. Miller said in the release the win in the Ethics Case Competition will help put Heidelberg business students on the map among peer institutions. Haines plans to attend law school after graduation. Waskiewicz is participating in the Ernst and Young internship in Baltimore this summer and plans to attend Heidelberg to obtain his MBA and to take his CPA exam. Tredwell will also be interning with Ernst and Young this summer. He will then attend Ohio State University to pursue his master's degree in accounting.