Tobin Cassels III to Receive 2019 James F. Barker Ethics in Action Award

Tobin Cassels Ethics in Action

The 2019 James F. Barker Ethics in Action Award will be presented to W. 'Tobin' Cassels III, President of Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc., based in Lexington, South Carolina. The award celebrates an individual’s actions that exemplify integrity and aims to encourage and recognize the value of ethics in our society. The recipient is selected from among nominations received by the Rutland Institute for Ethics Advisory Board.

Dr. William C. McCoy, director of the Rutland Institute for Ethics, said "As his nomination attests, Tobin exemplifies ethical behavior in numerous ways, especially through his guidance of corporate philanthropy and community service. The dedication of Southeastern Freight Lines to both internal and external customers has garnered over 390 quality awards from some of the most respected companies in America. With uncompromising values, Mr. Cassels has led the way in industry standards strengthened by an ethical foundation. Congratulations to Mr. Cassels for his hard work and dedication to true ethical leadership in his industry and beyond."

In 2014, the Rutland Institute for Ethics Advisory Board elected to name the Institute’s highest honor after James F. Barker, the 14th president of Clemson University, in recognition of the ways he exemplified integrity, thereby bringing ethics into focus in the best possible way: by living it. The James F. Barker Ethics in Action Award is an ongoing and constructive way to recognize and encourage commitment to ethical conduct and the value of integrity.

Barker himself received the inaugural Ethics in Action Award in 2014. In 2015, Greenville nonprofit executive and founder of The Family Effect, Scott T. Dishman, received the distinction. Minor Mickel Shaw, philanthropist and community leader was the recipient in 2016, and former Charleston mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. was presented the fourth annual James F. Barker Ethics in Action Award on February 10, 2018.

Specific questions about the award can be directed to Dr. William C. McCoy at: wmccoy@clemson.edu or by calling (864) 656-6147.

Purpose of Award

The purpose of the award is to recognize and celebrate action that exemplifies integrity and, in a continuing and constructive way, encourage commitment to ethical conduct and the value of integrity.

Method of Selection

A subcommittee of the Rutland Institute for Ethics Advisory Board will select the award recipient. The subcommittee will include the director of the Institute as well as other persons designated by the RIE Advisory Board.

Criteria for Selection

Recipients will be recognized for action(s) and significant accomplishment that reveal deep and sustained commitment to ethical conduct and the value of integrity: nominations will include a narrative description of the action(s) and accomplishment(s) that prompt the nomination and be supported by independent references (i.e., sources in addition to the person submitting the nomination).

Background

The Rutland Institute Advisory Board decided to name the Institute's award The James F. Barker Ethics in Action Award in recognition of the "ways in which he has exemplified integrity thereby bringing ethics into focus in the best possible way: by living it.... [and, accordingly, to make the award] an ongoing and constructive way to recognize and encourage commitment to ethical conduct and the value of integrity."