University of Maine Foundation

A focus on ethics

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University of Maine senior Anne Mathieson won the 2006 John M. Rezendes Annual Ethics Essay Competition with an extensive paper on ethics in the public domain. Mathieson completed her UMaine coursework in June and plans to continue her studies at Northern Arizona University.

In her essay, the philosophy major from Montville, Maine, examined a topic that is both intriguing and important to her: the classification of humans according to perceived differences and the resulting aversion to what is considered "other." In our culture, such prejudice is expressed in sexism, racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination.

The Rezendes Award was established by Dennis Rezendes, Class of '57, in honor of the strong ethical values and beliefs of his father, for whom the award is named. The essay competition, which awards a $2,500 prize and an engraved commemorative sculpture, is made possible by the John M. Rezendes Ethics Fund in the University of Maine Foundation.

Through the annual award and a lecture series, the fund provides learning and teaching opportunities focused on ethical values. The goal is to help students in all academic disciplines make ethical choices in their lives and careers.