OHIO students place in 2019 Ethics in Action National Student Video Competition

Ohio University students Anthony Bartolomucci, Chloe Green, Sydney Hutchinson, Daniel Mendenhall, Kurt Mohr, Emily Rodic, Alexandria Skowronski and Jessica Woods were recently awarded runner-up in the Viewer’s Choice Short Film Category for their video, “Ethics in the Small Things,” as part of the 10th annual Ethics in Action Video Competition put on by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy Center for the Public Trust (CPT). 

Some of the students are part of the Student Center for the Public Trust (SCPT), an organization that encourages and develops ethical leaders by valuing doing the right thing and making good choices. OHIO’s chapter of the SCPT belongs to the larger, national organization that creates a large network of students aiming to be ethical leaders throughout the nation.

“I am extremely proud of OHIO’s chapter of the SCPT for placing in the ethics competition, especially since we started the year with no active members and yet achieved an award at the national level – it’s so amazing,” said Rodic who will be president of the organization for the 2019-20 academic year. “Our idea for the video was to touch upon on how can we be ethical leaders in everyday life and how ethical decision making does not necessarily have to be this huge deal; it can be quick, simple and easy, but will always be important.”

The annual competition seeks creative video entries showcasing examples of ethical behavior in the business world. The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students, across all disciplines, attending colleges and universities throughout the United States.

“The competition is a fun way to get our student body thinking about ethical actions and how those actions can impact those around us,” said Bartolomucci, who was the 2018-2019 president. “Ethics is an area that can seem highly disregarded in today's society, but it is an integral part of long-term success, sustainability and maintaining the public's trust. Our organization is honored to have been voted as a Viewer’s Choice Award Winner and plan to participate in future years to help improve society as a whole by promoting ethical thinking and behavior on a daily basis!”

This year, the CPT received a total of 94 video submissions from over 20 colleges and universities nationwide, resulting in nearly seven thousand site visits. The awards categories include: Short Film (1-3 minutes), Commercial (59 seconds or less), Viewer’s Choice Short Film (1-3 minutes) and Viewer’s Choice Commercial (59 seconds or less). For the Viewer’s Choice categories, the public viewed and voted for their favorite video submission.

“The CPT team and judges were so impressed with all of the video submissions,” said CPT Student Programs Manager Ashley Metivier. “The topics and content covered allowed students be creative while practicing ethical decision making. Congratulations to all of our winners!” she added.

Since 2005, the CPT has encouraged leaders to support ethical business practices, by conducting a variety of collegiate and professional programs, such as the Ethics in ActionVideo Competition and the recently launched Ethical Leadership Training & Certification Program for professionals.