Business Ethics
The Uncommon Friends Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the ethical culture in Southwest Florida businesses through its endowed Chair of Business Ethics at Florida Gulf Coast University, currently held by Dr. Eric Dent. The FGCU Chair of Business Ethics is funded by an endowment through the Uncommon Friends Foundation, initially launched in 2006 with a generous gift from Uncommon Friends Foundation board member Bob Taylor. As a result, all FGCU business majors are now required to take classes in ethics.
In offices and boardrooms across corporate America, business men and women are working hard at more than just improving company profits—they are shaping the character, work ethics and integrity of their corporate culture. Uncommon Friends Foundation helps support this effort through its annual business ethics roundtable discussion among business leaders, by participating in and supporting high school and college business ethics case competitions, and through our annual business ethics award to recognize and honor a local business for its commitment to ethics at all levels of the organization, among its industry peers, and within the community.
ERIC B. DENT, Ph.D.
Dr. Eric Dent serves as Eminent Scholar, Professor and Uncommon Friends Endowed Chair in Ethics at Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida. He is a frequent speaker to national audiences. Prior to earning his Ph.D., Dr. Dent served as a corporate vice president in the financial services industry. He is committed to an interdisciplinary research agenda and has published articles in journals of workplace leadership, consulting, philosophy, culture, history, communications, psychology, and other topics. Dr. Dent is available to consult with public and private companies on enhancing ethical cultures in business. To learn more, please email Uncommon Friends Foundation Executive Director Heather Fitzenhagen at Heather@uncommonfriends.org
2021 Annual Report on Dr. Dent’s Role and Activities on our Behalf
BUSINESS ETHICS AWARD
The Uncommon Friends Foundation Business Ethics Award recognizes organizations that exemplify standards of high ethical behavior in how they conduct their daily operations, as well as during times of crises. These organizations must demonstrate:
- A commitment to business ethics at all levels of the organization
- A commitment to ethical dealings with customers, vendors, shareholders, regulators, lenders, and the community
- A commitment to ethical marketing, communications and sales practices
- A reputation of high integrity within their industry and the community.
Qualified area businesses can apply for or nominate another ethical company for our annual Business Ethics Award. Nominations are reviewed by a panel of experts in the field of ethical business practices who select the finalists. Finalists are invited to participate with other community leaders in our annual Business Ethics Roundtable to help advance our mission of character building among our youth and enhancing ethical practices in the workplace.
Click Here for the Business Ethics Award Nomination Form
Nominations for the 2022 Business Ethics Award are currently open. Deadline for submission date of September 1st 2022
Winner of the 2021 Business ethics award:
- Scotlynn USA
Recipients of the Business Ethics Award are:
2019 – Priority Marketing
2018 – PBS Contractors. Inc.
2017 – Pushing the Envelope
2016 – CPR Tools
2015 – CRS Technology Consultants
2014 – Sunshine Ace Hardware
2013 – Ted Todd Insurance Agency
2012 – Hope HealthCare Service
2011 – Conditioned Air
2010 – Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co.
2009 – Shell Point Retirement Community
2008 – Bonita Bay Group
2007 – WilsonMiller, Inc.
2006 – HomeBanc Mortgage Corporation
2021 Business Ethics Award Winner – Scotlynn USA
Scotlynn USA Team.