KU News Release

KU School of Business to give ethics award to six students March 26

LAWRENCE — Six University of Kansas students will receive awards from the School of Business for their outstanding personal and professional conduct. The awards will be presented at the opening of the 2008 William S. Sutton Ethics Lecture, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union.

Mark R. Best, Kimberly L. Elliott, Jake Messersmith, Rachel Sanner, Kirk Smith and David Wise will receive the annual RESPECT Award from Douglas May, professor of business. KU faculty, students and staff nominated the students.

“These students exemplify the Positive Code of Conduct established by the KU School of Business,” said May. “The positive attitude and behavior they have developed as students provides them with the foundation for success in their professional careers.”

The RESPECT Positive Code of Conduct was developed in 2006 by students in May’s Ethical Decision Making in Business class. The award honors top students who follow the seven principles of the code: responsibility, enthusiasm, self esteem, professional integrity, equity, compassion and teamwork.

“The KU School of Business values ethical behavior and this new code of conduct helps celebrate individuals who serve as role models by striving for exceptional levels of professionally virtuous behavior,” said May.

This year’s Sutton Ethics Lecture will feature Ray Anderson, a leader in the sustainable development movement. Sponsored by KU’s School of Business and International Center for Ethics in Business, the lecture is free and open to the public.

Award winners are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names and previous schools attended.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66046
Rachel Kathleen Sanner, senior in accounting, daughter of Robert and Jennifer Sanner; Lawrence High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66209
David Patrick Wise, senior in finance and Spanish, son of Arthur and Kathy Wise; Blue Valley High School.

From Lenexa 66219
Kimberly L. Elliott, master’s student in accounting and information systems, daughter of Thomas and Pamela Elliott; bachelor’s in business from KU, summer 2007; Shawnee Mission West High School.

From Shawnee 66226
Jake Messersmith, doctoral student in business; bachelor’s degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

PAWNEE COUNTY
From Larned 67550
Mark Randall Best, master’s student in business administration, son of Michael and Elizabeth Best; bachelor’s in business from KU, spring 2005; Larned High School.

TEXAS
From Frisco 75034
Kirk Smith, senior in finance, son of Barbara Smith; Jesuit College Preparatory School, Dallas.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.