Kegley Institute accepting nominations for 2024 Wendy Wayne Ethics Awards

Awards honor CSUB alumna, beloved Bakersfield community member

By California State University, Bakersfield

October 31^st, 2023

The Kegley Institute of Ethics (KIE) at California State University, Bakersfield is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Wendy Wayne Ethics Awards.

The awards typically recognize two individuals, one youth and one adult, who have given back to their community through their actions and ethical commitment. Nominations are being accepted through Nov. 28 and applications can be submitted online through the KIE website.

The awards honor CSUB alumna and beloved Bakersfield community member Wendy Wayne, who was a dedicated volunteer and ethical leader in the Bakersfield community. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer, a nurse at Kern Medical Center and as an advocate for child education with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

“The Wendy Wayne Ethics Awards recognize exemplary ethical leaders in our local community. The Kegley Institute of Ethics has organized and presented these awards since 2012, and it is our honor to continue to recognize and support both young and established leaders in our community,” said Interim KIE Director Dr. Nate Olson. “While unethical actions from leaders often get the most attention, these awards call attention to the powerful, community-enriching work that local leaders perform on a daily basis.”

Adult winners receive $5,000 for a charitable donation to an organization in their name while youth winners receive a $5,000 college scholarship.

The 2023 Wendy Wayne Ethics Awards had one recipient in the adult category and two in the youth category. The adult awardee was NaTesha Johnson, with Ellen Eggert receiving an honorable mention. The youth co-awardees were CSUB students Uchechi Okey-Dike, 23, and 19-year-old Minaya Valentine.

A celebration dinner for the 2024 awardees is expected to be held sometime in April in conjunction with the Wendy Wayne Day of Service. The Kegley Institute will work with the Community Action Partnership of Kern to address service needs relating to food insecurity.