Elkins – Davis & Elkins College students recently explored new approaches to making decisions at the 36th annual College Ethics Symposium held at the First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island in Hilton Head, S.C.
With the theme of “Got Ethics?,” the symposium focused on helping students recognize and understand contemporary ethical issues and how to factor those insights into decision making. The three-day session included small discussion groups that considered real-life case studies, a panel discussion and other presentations.
Davis & Elkins College students attending the conference were Olivia Hudok, a freshman from Huttonsville, W.Va.; Rhiana Bruce-Lyle, a junior from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Julia Hoehn, a junior from Thurnau, Germany; and Rebecca Wudarski, a sophomore from Davis, W.Va. They were accompanied by Vice President for Student Affairs Scott Goddard and Assistant Professor of Art Michael Doig. Hosts to the group were Hilton Head residents Mike and Lori Brock, who also helped organize the event.
“I’ve been struggling a bit to put the Ethics Symposium trip into words,” Goddard says. “I’ve simply not seen or experienced anything like it. It was a well-coordinated event that focused on the students, and it was time well spent with a great group of people, all resulting in one of the best trips that I’ve participated in with students.”
Keynote speaker for the conference was Capt. Rick Rubel, distinguished military professor of ethics for the U.S. Naval Academy. Students also heard from Paul Mathias, a retired president of Asia Pacific for Johnson Wax and Johnson Diversey, and James E. Humphrey, a retired chief executive officer for Andersen Corporation. The leaders made presentations during a luncheon with the theme “Contemporary Ethics Issues in the Workplace.”
Hilton Head Island Men of the Church have sponsored the College Ethics Symposium for more than 35 years to prepare ethically committed college graduates entering the workforce to have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the world.
“The students of Davis & Elkins College positively contribute to their environment by maintaining high standards of integrity and ethical honor in all academic work and personal conduct,” Goddard says. “The students who participated in the Ethics Symposium are shining examples of this philosophy and are true ambassadors of Davis & Elkins College.”
Related to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
