Four students explored the topic of “Social Responsibility and the Morality of Profits” in papers presented orally Wednesday at the Delta Mu Delta Honors Symposium at the Ken Blanchard College of Business.
“This is the first time we have had lead student presenters in the five years we have sponsored the symposium,” said Dr. Kevin McClean of KBCOB. Those in attendance included GCU President Kathy Player, Provost Cheri St. Arnauld, College of Nursing Dean Anne McNamara and KBCOB Assistant Dean OIivier Bouclier.
Here is a summary of what was presented at the 90-minute symposium, held in Williams Lecture Hall:
Jasmine Bhatti
- About her: Has B.S. in psychology from Arizona State University and is currently a senior in the College of Nursing at GCU. President of the Student Nurses Association of Arizona. Planning for a career in nursing leadership.
- Paper: “Social Responsibility and the Morality of Profits: What Is the Net Effect on Health?”
- Key points: The nursing community plays an important role in the social responsibility of health care. Aspects of this should include disease prevention, home care, timely access via nurse practitioners and advocacy at the legislative level.
Michelle Hutchinson
- About her: Graduated magna cum laude from the University of California at Davis with B.S. in environmental design and is completing Master of Science in Leadership at GCU. Currently an enrollment manager at GCU.
- Paper: “Revolutionary Rx: Servant Leadership and the Pharmaceuticals Industry”
- Key points: The drug industry is faced with an ethical quandary pitting the public good against profitability, leading to unscrupulous behavior. Servant leadership could be promoted by revamping research and development, focusing the delivery of generic drugs on the consumer and enhancing relationships with stakeholders.
Catherine Fuller
- About her: Completed undergraduate degree in psychology in 2009 at GCU and is currently a student in the Master of Science in Leadership program at the University. Has written from a biblical perspective on social responsibility and sustainability.
- Paper: “Assessing Corporate Social Responsibility and the Morality of Profits”
- Key points: Social responsibility demands a commitment and not merely isolated efforts. Certain companies — including Starbucks Coffee, Southwest Airlines and Chick-fil-A — have demonstrated this. For-profit educational institutions have an opportunity to do the same, by focusing on the student as stakeholder and making education available to the masses.
Bret Ceren
- About him: Currently a student in Applied Management and is the GCU’s national partnerships manager for faith-based development. Is writing two books, including a comparative review of the teachings of Christianity and capitalism titled “What Atlas Shrugs God Holds.”
- Paper: “Social Responsibility and the Morality of Profits: Gain as an Ethical Imperative”
- Key points: Without motivation, innovation doesn’t occur. Christians have a responsibility to participate in business. Although God despises ill-gotten profit, He also ridicules unprofitable work. “It is at least clear that He commends (profit) and uses it to fuel His Kingdom work.”
