GMC News
Columbus Awards Students; Faculty for Focus on Ethics Initiatives
Georgia Military College Columbus Awards Students; Faculty for Focus on Ethics Initiatives Columbus, GA – Destinee Singleton, a student at Georgia Military College Columbus, says that, “Ethics matter even when no one is looking.” And Georgia Military College Columbus administration couldn’t agree more. With an updated mission statement and renewed focus in the new year, Georgia Military College Columbus campus recently honored students and faculty for their contributions to its Ethics Across the Curriculum Program. Reflecting the mission statement of the college – to provide “an environment conducive to the holistic development of the intellect and character of its students” – GMC Columbus honored Professor Cathy Carter for her winning Faculty Ethics Initiative. A committee of faculty and staff from the school selected Carter’s winning ethics initiative, which consisted of a classroom discussion, activity, and homework assignment regarding a narrative essay. Carter piloted the activity in the classroom and indicated that the difference between what students say during discussion and what they write after reflection is a good indicator of what they are learning about ethics. Carter wrote, “Sometimes, the change is dramatic, and it’s always in the right direction.” Faculty are not the only ethics focus. Three students, Richard Stallworth, Kacey Burger, and Pamela Hale, all of Columbus, were honored for their winning Student Ethics Essay submissions. The Student Ethics Essay contest requires students to explore ethics by focusing on questions about current events or ethical themes. Stallworth, Burger, and Hale wrote essays regarding such questions as, “What responsibility, if any, do the media have to report on the private lives of public figures?” and, “Should bartenders be held responsible for the behavior of their patrons?” Dr. Stephen Barber, ethics committee chairman and assistant professor of history for GMC Columbus, says the initiatives are important to the campus. “These initiatives support and facilitate our institution-wide goal of infusing the study of ethics into all aspects of the college academic program,” Barber said. “We want to promote ethical inquiry and encourage students to take ethics seriously as a developed personal motivation.” Following through with the idea of ethics across the curriculum, the college also incorporates into each course a component that focuses on ethics exercises, discussions, and critical thinking. “You won’t find a class here where they don’t talk about ethics,” GMC Columbus student Danyale Williams said. “That is how you know it is important.” Professor Cathy Carter receives the Faculty Ethics Initiative Award from Georgia Military College Columbus Director and Assistant Dean Ronnie Hundley (l) and Dr. Stephen Barber (r).
