The University’s Honors School has formed a partnership with the Ranney School in Tinton Falls to spread their knowledge on ethics in business, science and politics. University specialists and professors have agreed to present different lectures to the Ranney School’s Upper School. The students will be enjoying a six-week symposium where they will be able to ask professors questions, discuss topics with each other and enhance their knowledge on a college level. From February to May, there will be a series of lectures, activities and workshops allowing the students of Ranney to get involved to their full potential and understand the topic that much more.
“Our presentation will highlight the importance of debate in public policy,” said Professor Joseph Patten, Chair of the Political Science and Sociology Department. Many University students also have strived to participate in the program. During Patten’s program, “Ethical and Effective on Capitol Hill are Mutually Exclusive: A Debate,” the students of Ranney will be experiencing what Patten says is a “hands on workshop on how to compete in policy debate.”
Lawrence S. Sykoff, the Head of the Ranney School, is excited to grant their sophomores the opportunity to learn about the value of ethics at a more in depth, experienced level, according to a University press release. “We are always looking for ways to connect with our neighbors in Monmouth County,” he told the University’s newswire.
Giving the first presentation of the group is Dr. Michaeline Skiba about ethics and business on February 24. “The earlier and the more information that is communicated to the students, the better,” Skiba said. “This program will give students an edge that most college students don’t have.”
Skiba added that this presentation will allow the students of Ranney to ask questions and join in open discussions about ethics and business. “These high school students have the desire to change the unethical behaviors in business settings,” she said. “We’re looking to build future managers who think about being business leaders and good corporate citizens. It’s important to stop unethical practices at the issue stage rather than at the crisis stage.”
Dr. Kevin Dooley, Dean of the University’s Honors School, held the first event on January 26. Last fall, Dooley was invited to give the keynote address at Ranney School’s Convocation where he spoke about ethics and leadership. His presentation was found interesting to the listeners and he was asked to come back in the spring with plenty of professional topics to present. Dr. Dooley sought out some of his faculty and administrators experienced in ethics and business to be a part of the program. “The faculty jumped at the opportunity,” he said. Dr. Dooley said that he and the rest of the faculty hope to be able to expand this program, and hopefully bring it into more high schools in the area in the future.
