Indiana State University Newsroom

A prominent Indianapolis businessman and the president of the Indiana State University Foundation will be among the presenters at an upcoming conference at ISU about business ethics and social responsibility.

Denny Sponsel, owner of RJE Business Interiors in Indianapolis and member of the Dean's Executive Council for the ISU Scott College of Business, and ISU Foundation president Gene Crume will give presentations during the seventh annual Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Conference on March 26. This year's conference, which is themed "Ethics: It's a Fine Line," will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature the presentations, including a closing speech by Baesler's Market owner Bob Baesler, along with breakout sessions.

"People can expect a wide variety of viewpoints concerning ethical dilemmas that employees in almost every occupation in the world face today," said Andrew Graman, a junior from Bruceville who is helping to organize the conference. "Attendees can also look forward to gaining invaluable insight into how professionals have dealt with ethical issues in their own lives."

Sponsel will present "Five Keys to Success" to open the daylong conference, while Crume will discuss ethical leadership during the lunchtime presentation. Baesler will present "Servant Leadership" to end the day.

Breakout session topics range from achieving professional advancement ethically to music piracy and educational equity. Additional presenters include ISU graduate and state Rep. Bob Heaton and ISU football coach Trent Miles, among others.

"This year's conference will incorporate professionals and faculty members from many different fields of study," Graman said. "Although the conference is put on by members of the Scott College of Business, this college is definitely not the only area that faces ethical issues. Therefore, it only makes sense to include speakers that represent the other colleges here at Indiana State, and other industries, as well."

Business students enrolled in the Networks Professional Development Program are organizing the conference. The Networks Program is a four-year comprehensive curriculum with focused activities designed to cultivate professional and leadership skills of ISU students. The award-winning program is part of Networks Financial Institute in the Scott College of Business.

More information about the conference can be found at: www.indstate.edu/ethics

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Ethics-Conference-2011/040411ethicsconference-6274/1240816713_P6SEx-L.jpg (ISU/Tony Campbell)Bill Wilhelm, coordinator and associate professor of business education, information and technology, helps lead a presentation at the sixth annual Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Conference at Indiana State University in 2011. Wilhelm will lead one of the breakout sessions during the seventh annual conference on March 26.

Media contact and writer: Austin Arceo, assistant director of media relations, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3790 or austin.arceo-negrich@indstate.edu