Why Ethics?
With numerous examples of corruption across the business landscape, society is in desperate need of ethical leaders and employees. At the Harris College of Business, we find ourselves uniquely positioned to address this ethical conundrum by combining biblical principles with contemporary research in the field of ethics.
Grounded in Biblical Principles
With Colossians 3:23 as the foundation of the Ethics Institute, we encourage our students to be men and women of high moral character and integrity.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23
As our students develop influence in the world of business, our goal is to provide them with the tools necessary to guide their decision-making processes. As Christians, our model for ethical behavior is Jesus Christ and the Bible provides numerous examples to guide us. Therefore, we believe that modeling ethical behavior, studying real-world examples, and discussing potential ethical situations will better prepare our students to be ethical leaders in today's market.
How do we model ethics?
The Ethics Institute at the Harris College of Business provides students with opportunities to learn directly from business leaders who embody the highest ethical standards. Each semester, we invite distinguished speakers from various industries to share their personal journeys, leadership philosophies, and ethical challenges. By learning from these role models, our students are better equipped to address the ethical challenges they may encounter in their own careers.
| Semester | Speaker | Title & Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 |
Dr. Rick Lytle | President and CEO, CEO Forum |
| Spring 2022 |
Mitch Henry | 9th President, Faulkner University |
| Fall 2022 |
Mike Eubanks | Vice-Chairman, Faulkner University Board of Trustees; Vice-President, Gulf Hauling and Construction, Mobile, AL |
| Fall 2022 |
John Gordon | Faulkner Alumnus; Financial Advisor, Edward Jones |
| Spring 2023 |
Tom Pendley | President and CEO, Mannington Mills |
| Fall 2023 |
Paul Evans | Partner, CRI Advisers, LLC |
| Spring 2024 |
Bill Trick | CEO, IMS Communities |
| Fall 2024 |
Jason Isbell | Faulkner Alumnus & Board Member; VP, State Government Affairs, Regions Bank |
| Spring 2025 |
Anne Ostholthoff & Eric Martinez | VP of Corporate Social Responsibility & Associate General Counsel, AssuranceAmerica |
Dr. Rick Lytle speaks to students at the Fall 2021 gathering of the Ethics Institute
In addition to our speakers, students encounter business ethics education throughout the curriculum. Whether it be in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Risk Management, or Information Systems, each of our courses presents an opportunity to introduce students to discipline-specific examples of ethics in the form of lectures, videos, or case analyses.
By the time students graduate, they will have a comprehensive understanding of business ethics from both a biblical and practical perspective, empowering them to be leaders who can stand firm in their convictions, regardless of the challenges they face.
