Weber State College Comment, July 1987, page 5 Ethics Base of U.S. Society, Prof. Says mericans hold their ethical standards near and dear, and when people, especially political leaders, violate those standards they can instantly lose support. Gary Hart, for example. ‘Ethics is still the cornerstone of our society. We tend to take great pride in what is appropriate,’’ said Dr. T.R. Reddy, chairman of the political science and philosophy department. But ethical conduct has taken a beating lately, he said. In almost every profession from journalism to finance to political life, things have happened that go against the grain of the American way of doing business. The result has been a wave of concern about ethics, or the lack thereof, Dr. Reddy said. ‘‘The reason why we pay so much at- tention to ethics is because of our upbringing and our history. It’s a principle we’re taught to cherish,”’ he said. Superman and his ‘‘Truth, Justice and the American Way’’ has almost become the symbol of ethical conduct, but Dr. Reddy said that the issues today are not quite as black and white, good or evil as they were 50 years ago when Superman first flew out of the Daily Planet building. ‘‘We’ve become more sophisticated as a society, and most people realize there are many shades of gray. There are differences of opinions as to what is good, and there is not an exact definition of what is ethical behavior,”’ he said. The closest people seem to come toa collective conscience as to ethical behavior is George Washington’s axiom: Honesty is the best policy. ‘“‘We believe in those values, and because of our commitment to them any deviation raises a great deal of concern. We feel betrayed,’’ he said. A perceived breach of that ethical trust forced Gary Hart from the 1988 presidential race. Unethical actions at In almost every profession incidents have occurred that go against the grain of the American way of doing business. The result has been a wave of concern about ethics. Watergate resulted in Richard Nixon’s ouster from the Oval Office, even though he had an _ excellent foreign policy, Dr. Reddy said. “In terms of the notion of the in- tegrity of public leaders we have not changed our expectations from George Washington to the present. We still expect our leaders to be examples to us,”’ he said. “‘Someone may have great ideas, but once their credibility is gone they have no respect, and the strength of leaders is the confidence that people place in them,’’ Dr. Reddy added. ‘“‘In education today we seem to focus more on providing instruction to help students be successful in their careers, but we also have an equivalently important role to provide an education to make students successful in life. Part of that mission is to embed into them the values that have . made our society great,’’ he said. eee Dee Events Center Turns 10 crack. Those need to be Barbara Mandrell is one of many who have performed in the Dee Events Center during that building’s ten year history. football, basketball and baseball and was the assistant coach for boxing. He : and also taught five classes a day. ‘Dale is an honorable man. He is a true professional. He takes a great deal of pride in the building, that’s why it looks like it does,’’ said Jody Lake, assistant to the director at the Dee Events Center. © Through the years Gardner has had to deal with artists, and booking agents in order to attract big-name acts to the area. At times the big names have come and the audiences have not, and Gardner admits that finding the kinds of ‘events that appeal to local audiences has been the most baffling aspect of his job. ‘‘There have been frustrating kinds of things I’ve had to deal with, but generally it’s been enjoyable. It’s difficult to attract top name performers to Ogden. Sometimes you put it together, and sometimes you don’t,’’ he said. Lou Johnson, former director of the WSC Browning Center for the Performing Arts, replaced Gardner and will lead the Dee Events Center into the second decade. ‘‘Our greatest challenge is going to be to develop a greatly increased variety of events to be held in the center--art The 1983 Western Regional NCAA gallery displays, civic group meetings, finals held in the Dee Events Center mini conventions, parking lot carbrought an estimated $890,000 to nivals, professional sport activities-Ogden. really, just about anything someone might imagine,’’ Johnson said. specialization in sports,’’ he said. ‘*‘This building is extraordinary in its Gardner was selected as the outstanupkeep and potential. We want to ding athlete at WSC in 1951, and two recruit and develop all sorts of events years before had attended spring trainthat can happen here,’’ he added. & ing with the New York Yankees. He was assistant athletic director at Utah State University before coming to Weber State. While there he coached Center for playoff activity in 1980, 1983 and 1986. Gardner retired from the college this month to accept a call as mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been director of the center since it was first built, and was closely involved with fund raising and construction efforts. He had been athletic director for nine years at the college prior to taking over the DEC, and, as a student, had been a standout in Weber State basketball, football, and baseball. ‘‘That was before - way replaced,’’ he said. Ten years have come and gone since the Dee Events Center was first built, but after a decade of use that edifice is still in prime condition, thanks, in large part, to the kind of concern that had Gardner on the arena floor checking boards. “Our facility at 10 years is in better condition than many similar facilities that are only three and four years old,”’ said Dean Hurst, former vice president for college relations. ‘‘We’ve worked hard to keep this a first-class facility; a facility with image and dignity,’’ said Gardner. The $11.3 million building was completed in April 1977. Seating capacity is a little over 12,000 and the structure sits on a 45 acre lot to allow for plenty of parking. The building was constructed without state dollars, but in spite of that some still criticize the building of the center, noting that there are too many such sites in Utah. Gardner disagrees. ‘“‘We’re brought in some major kinds of activities, things we would not get without the Dee Events Center. In many cases they have resulted in financial benefits to the whole community,’’ Gardner said. The NCAA Western Regional Finals held at the center in 1983 had an economic impact of at least $890,000, with some estimates going as high as $1.4 million. Other groups pull in tourists and money from outside the area as well, he said. But beyond the financial benefits, the DEC has also generated cultural and educational opportunities that are hard to measure, but no less important. The New York Philharmonic has performed in the Dee Events Center as well as Johnny Cash, Bill Cosby, Seals and Croft, Johnny Mathis, Air Supply, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Henry Mancini, Kenny Rogers, England’s Black _Watch, Beach Boys, the Lippizan Stallions, John Denver and many others. ‘“‘We’ve tried to have a variety of entertainment that cuts across the market of this area,’’ Gardner said. “I’ve always had an excitement for the potential of this building, and what’s really exciting is when it’s full of people,’’ he added. ‘‘The most exciting event for me is the NCAA playoffs. The teams, the crowds, the bands--all are thrilling.’ — The NCAA chose the Dee Events a erieWo D ale Gardner knelt his six-footfour frame on the main floor of the Dee Events Center, pushing floor boards with his fingers. ‘‘Ocassionally some of the tongue and grooves give