Ethics Essay Competition
Apply Ethical Decision Making and Writing Skills to Win $$$$
The annual ethics essay contest requires students to analyze the ethical issue of a business case and make recommendations using principle-based ethics. A panel of community leaders and faculty serve as judges and select the final winners who clearly articulate their analysis and present viable recommendations. Students will be able to win a cash prize for a 1,000 words by competing in the annual Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at UCCS College of Business Ethics Essay Competition.
Competition Information
2022 Submissions Open Now!
Deadline Extended to April 8, 2022
Student Eligibility
Undergraduate or graduate student at UCCS and Southern Colorado Ethics Consortium schools.
To Enter
- Carefully review essay prompt and supplementary materials
- Prepare essay and bio information.
- Submit entry as WORD or PDF by deadline.
Essay Prompt and Help With Your Analysis
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 Ethics Essay Winners!
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Undergraduate Winner
Kenneth Cate (Anthropology) earning a $1000 award.
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Graduate Winner
Michaela Herring (MBA) earning a $1,000 award.
2021-2022 Ethics Essay Winners
Undergraduate Winner
Kenneth Cate (Anthropology) earning a $1000 award.
Graduate Winner
Michaela Herring (MBA) earning a $1,000 award.
2020-2021 Ethics Essay Winners
Undergraduate Winner
Morgan Pracht (Communication) earning a $1000 award.
Graduate Winner
Chris Rowsick (MBA) earning a $1000 award.
SCEC Winner
Holly Thomas (Criminal Justice, Trinidad Junior College) receiving a $1000 award.
2019-2020 Ethics Essay Winners
Undergraduates
First place to Zachary Hennen (Business) receiving the $1,000 award.
and
Second place to Abigael Vafiades (Theatre and Dance) receiving a $750 award.
and
Honorable Mentions to Kathryn Palm (Psychology), and Morgan Pracht (Communication), each receiving a $500 award.
Graduates
First place to Dustin Renken (MBA - Healthcare Management receiving the $1,000 award.
and
Second place to Daryk Scott (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) receiving a $750 award.
and
Honorable Mentions to Amanda Devane (Psychology), and CJ Stevenson (MBA - Innovation Management), each receiving a $500 award.
2018-2019 Ethics Essay Winners
Undergraduate Essays
- First place to Sarah McMillan (Communications) receiving the $1,000 award.
- Second place to Michael Olivier (Mechanical Engineering) receiving a $500 award.
Graduate Essays
- First place to Benjamin Christ (Management) receiving the $1,000 award.
- Second place to Richard Fierro (Innovation and Operations Management) receiving a $500 award.
2017-2018 Ethics Essay Winners
First Place Undergraduates:
Paul Gilliam (Information Systems) and Sarah Moore (Accounting) each winning the $1,000 grand award.
First Place Graduates:
Benjamin Christ (Project Management) and Maggie Talbot (Psychology) each winning the $1,000 grand award.
2016-17 Ethics Essay Winners
- First Place Undergraduate - Blake McGuckin (Accounting) winning the $1,000 grand award.
- Second Place Undergraduate - Tessa Bronner (Bachelor of Innovation - Globalization) receiving a $500 award.·
- Undergraduate Honorable Mentions - Rachel Owens (Sports Management) and Ray Medina (Finance) each receiving a $250 award.
- First Place Graduate - Jessica Castillo Gallegos (Education) winning the $1,000 grand award.
- Second place Graduate - Danielle Herrington (Counseling and Human Services) receiving a $500 award.
2015-16 Ethics Essay Winners
- First Place Undergraduate- Benjamin Griffith winning the $1,000 grand award.
- Second Place Undergraduate - Cole Ericson receiving a $750 award.
2014-15 Ethics Essay Winners
- First Place Undergraduate - Amber Sterner winning the $1,000 grand award.
- Second Place Undergraduate - Boyd Baldry receiving a $250 award.
- Third Place Undergraduate - Nicole Renfrow receiving a $250 award.
- First Place Graduate - Danille Bobstick winning the $1,000 grand award.
2013-14 Ethics Essay Winners
- First Place - Nate Burgess (Undergraduate) winning the $1,000 grand award.
- Second Place - Samantha Bruner (Graduate) receiving a $500 award.
- Third Place - Wynter Miller (Undergraduate) receiving a $250 award.
2012-13 Ethics Essay Winners
- First Place Undergraduate - Laura Ander winning the $1000 grand award.
- Second Place Undergraduate - Jason Raak receiving a $750 award.
- Third Place Undergraduate - Kylee Smit receiving a $500 award.
- Due the high level excellence 3 Honorable Mentions Undergraduate - Frank Gahren, Wesley Noble, and Meral Sarper each receiving a $100 award.
Past Judge's Feedback
2018 Essay Competition"I was impressed with the thoughts expressed and very optimistic for the future if these are our future employees."
Past Judge's Feedback
2020 Essay Competition“Excellent job of incorporating the DFEI principles throughout the paper without quoting them as a resource or list.”