ethics news & views

Jim Fowler receives honorary doctorate from University of Edinburgh

Center Director James Fowler traveled to Scotland this summer where on 16 July he was awarded the Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, by the University of Edinburgh. In presenting Fowler, Professor Duncan B. Forrester, dean of divinity, said "Professor Fowler's identification of certain 'stages of faith' related to human growth and development is internationally recognized as a helpful and productive way of understanding the spiritual journeys of those who identify with a wide variety of religious traditions and with none....It is considered by man to stand alongside Erikson's work on emotional development and Kohlberg's on moral development."

[ Posted by Chance Hunter on September 01, 1999 | Article Link | More General Center for Ethics News articles | Comments (0) ]

The changing face of the Ethics Center

Major changes in staff, signaled by the departure of Steven Olson and the change in affiliation of Andy Fleming, characterized activity this spring and summer at the Center. During their five years with the Center, Olson and Fleming made significant contributions in shaping and administering the Center's business ethics and leadership and life-work programs. Over the years corporate demand for their leadership training workshops increased, culminating in their acceptance of management consultant positions with Synovus Corporation in Columbus, Georgia. Fleming will remain in close contact, however, in his new role as a Senior Fellow for Ethics and Servant Leadership.

[ Posted by James Fowler on September 01, 1999 | Article Link | More General Center for Ethics News articles | Comments (0) ]

Challenging Our Greatness: Universities, Dirty Hands, and the Context for the Ethics and Servant Leadership program

Derrick Bok, president emeritus of Harvard University, is just one of many voices which have identified the university as one of the "most central institutions of society." Such a claim makes many of us working in higher education feel proud and yes, sometimes a bit brazen. As teachers, consultants, and researchers, we have the capacity to excite young minds, discover new knowledge, and influence public policy and professional practices. What a privilege and contribution.

"Good for us" - if Bok did not so skillfully couple the claim of centrality with a tough question: "If we are so good, why are so many things [in society] so troubling?"

The question prompts long pauses, often a bit of defensiveness, and recently a growing national movement of universities examining what it means to be an "engaged citizen" on both an individual and institutional level.

[ Posted by Melissa Snarr on September 01, 1999 | Article Link | More Ethics and Servant Leadership articles | Comments (0) ]

Faculty Ethics Institute

The following is a brief summary of a report compiled by Dr. Michael Rich, associate professor of political science, and Stacia Brown. Dr. Rich facilitated this year's annual Faculty Ethics Institute, sponsored by the Ethics Center, which brought together faculty from across the disciplines in the university to examine "University and Community: Exploring the Ethics of Accountability, Advocacy, and Activism."

[ Posted by Stacia Brown on September 01, 1999 | Article Link | More Summer Faculty Seminar articles | Comments (0) ]