By SCOTT POWELLLedger Staff Writer

SIFE Project Leader Brandon Gibson is shown with Business Ethics Award winners Edward Dalton of Piedmont Paper Company, Troy Gaffney of Allstate Insurance, and Joe McKowen, owner of Physical Therapy Inc. in Gaffney.

Edward Dalton from Piedmont Paper Company in Asheville, N.C.; Troy Gaffney, an Allstate Insurance Agent in Gaffney; and Joe McKowen, owner of Physical Therapy Inc. in Gaffney, received awards.

Ethics is defined as: “The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession.” It has been a major focus of SIFE as the student-run organization works to promote the value of good business enterprise activities in the local community.

McKowen served on the first ethics roundtable sponsored by SIFE in 2002. Dalton and Gaffney were on the student organization’s most recent ethics roundtable last fall.

“During a time of major corporations and their CEOs being convicted of unethical behavior, these men expressed a strong belief in having and using high standards of ethics in their daily, personal and professional lives,” SIFE project leader Brandon Gibson said. “Not only did they share their beliefs, but we believe they provided persuasive reasoning to convince members of the audience, both students and community residents, that long-term success depends on placing a high priority on ethical practices.”

The ethics awards were presented by Limestone College President Dr. Walt Griffin, Limestone College Business Department Chair Dr. Paul LeFrancois, and SIFE Faculty Sponsor Betty Hoge.

SIFE plans to present the business ethics awards on an annual basis.