Business Ethics Forum Focuses on Experiential Learning, Lectures from Business Leaders

Former CEO of Wal-Mart and President of Hobby Lobby to Lecture

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Media contact: Eric M. Eckert, (254) 710-1964

WACO, Texas (Oct. 28, 2016) – The Hankamer School of Business will host the Dale P. Jones Business Ethics Forum from Nov. 1–11 in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, 1621 S. Third St.

The Business Ethics Forum is hosted annually by the Hankamer School of Business to reinforce and supplement the ethical issues students learn about in class. This year, prominent speakers include Bill Simon, former president and CEO of Wal-Mart, and Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby.

“The purpose of the Dale P. Jones Business Ethics Forum is to contribute to the development of principled leaders through informative and inspiring keynote events and experiential activities,” said Mitchell Neubert, Ph.D., Chavanne Chair of Christian Ethics in Business in the Hankamer School of Business. “Character is developed through learning from role models and through practice. We provide both opportunities in the Ethics Forum.”

The theme for this year’s forum is “Just Business.”

“It is a theme that encompasses considering how to lead and act in a fair and just manner in organizations as well as demonstrating how business can address social justice issues through providing jobs, enhancing living conditions, advancing rights and respect for all people and contributing to community well-being,” Neubert said.

In addition to lectures from leaders in business ethics, three competitions during the forum will focus on experiential and interactive learning. In the 11th annual Business Ethics Case Competition, teams of undergraduate and graduate students will present a case and their recommendations. A $500 prize will be awarded to the winning team in each league.

The 10th annual National M.B.A. Case Competition in Ethical Leadership will bring together 12 teams of students from around the nation. The grand prize is $5,000, with smaller prizes offered to the second- and third-place winners.

In the Ethics SLAM! Competition, first-year students in the business school will respond to ethical challenges. The first place prize is a $100 gift card to the Baylor Bookstore.

“The competitions are based on real-life ethical challenges,” Neubert said. “Awareness of these situations and giving thought to how to avoid or address unethical behavior will help prepare students to successfully navigate these challenges and demonstrate ethical leadership.”

A schedule of Business Ethics Forum events is below. For more information, visit the Hankamer School of Business website.

TUESDAY, Nov. 1
“Waking Up to Your Name on the Front Page of the New York Times” – Bill Simon, former president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, U.S., and Tom Mars, former general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., will lecture at 7:30 p.m. in Room 250 of the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.

THURSDAY, Nov. 3
“Faith and Justice Among the Least of These” – Shane Gilbert, founder of nonprofit community development organization Come Let’s Dance, will lecture at 7:30 p.m. in Room 250 of the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.

FRIDAY, Nov. 4
M.B.A. Ethics Luncheon – Magatte Wade, founder and CEO of skincare brand Tiossan, will lecture on “Business as the Driver of Social and Economic Justice” at 11:30 a.m. in Room 250 of the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation. This luncheon and lecture are by invitation only.

“Poverty, Inc.” Viewing – The Business Ethics Forum will host a viewing and discussion of the documentary “Poverty, Inc.” at 1:30 p.m. in the McClinton Auditorium of the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.

Hankamer Business Ethics Case Competition – The 11th annual Hankamer Business Ethics Case Competition will begin at 1 p.m. in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.

THURSDAY, Nov. 10
“Business and the Book” – Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby, will lecture at 7:30 p.m. in Room 250 of the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.

M.B.A. National Case Competition in Ethical Leadership – The 10th annual MBA National Case Competition in Ethical Leadership will begin at 8:40 a.m. in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.

Ben Williams Distinguished Speaker Series Luncheon – Bert Smith, CEO of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, will give a lecture entitled “From Doing Time to Doing Business” at the Ben Williams Distinguished Speaker Series Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in Room 250 of the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation. This luncheon and lecture are by invitation only.

The Business Ethics Forum is free and open to the public. Click here for more information.

by Kalli Damschen, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

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Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

ABOUT HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business provides a rigorous academic experience, consisting of classroom and hands-on learning, guided by Christian commitment and a global perspective. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the school offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study. Visit www.baylor.edu/business and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/Baylor_Business.