BBB ethics scholars for 2020 named

The first class of BBB Ethics Scholars interns has begun its orientation with the  Better Business Bureau and the Torch Awards for Ethics program. The students will work with companies nominated for the 2020 Torch Awards for Ethics. 

Six students were selected from the three universities in the BBB Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming service territory: Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado, and University of Wyoming. Students applied during the spring and summer of 2019 to work on the Torch Awards project throughout the fall 2019 semester.

The 2019-2020 BBB Ethics Scholars are:

• Mamadou Balde, Colorado State University
• Kyrie Blaney, University of Wyoming
• Jenna Gardner, University of Wyoming
• Jada Harben, University of Northern Colorado
• Kenna Noble, University of Wyoming
• Courtney Yarrington, University of Wyoming

Each intern will be paired with two to four organizations and will work with the business or nonprofit to prepare applications for the 2020 Torch Awards for Ethics. Interns will research the business, conduct interviews with a range of staff members, and review documentation provided by the business to form a picture of how well the business follows the award criteria.  

Interns will write papers about the companies based and prepare presentations to be given to the independent judging panel of BBB board members and past Torch Award winner. Three business winners and one nonprofit winner will be selected from among the nominees.  

“The BBB Ethics Scholars program is an amazing opportunity for this group of talented students to take classroom knowledge and apply it to organizations dealing with ethical challenges in the real world,” BBB CEO and president Shelley Polansky said in announcing the students. “At the same time, these businesses get to work one-on-one with some of the best and brightest future members of the workforce in our region.”

The internship is open to college seniors at CSU, UNC and UW who are studying business, communications, marketing, accounting, sales or journalism. Class credit is also available.

The 2020 Torch Awards for Ethics will be held Thursday, April 23.