The Rock Ethics Institute has announced the recipients of the 2012 Stand Up Award.  The Stand Up Award honors Penn State undergraduate students who have the courage and fortitude to take an ethical stand for a person, cause or belief, and thereby demonstrate ethical leadership concerning this issue.  This award and the individuals and stories it honors will remind the entire Penn State community of how often the extraordinary act is possible in ordinary circumstances.

Four students were honored at a reception on April 22.  Each student received $1000, and will be featured in a poster campaign to promote ethical leadership.  Three of the four awardees for 2012 are in the College of the Liberal Arts, and one, Joshua Brady Branch, is a Paterno Fellow.  Here is his story:

Joshua Brady Branch was not your typical high school athlete and Eagle Scout. The bullying he dealt with growing up led Josh to identify with members of other marginalized groups and become a vocal supporter of his high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. His advocacy for the LGBTQ community has continued at Penn State, where he has been a persistent and courageous voice against discrimination. As a participant in dialogues across the community, Joshua reminds us that ethical leadership can occur through seemingly small, everyday encounters.

Watch Joshua’s video interview online, and learn about the other awardees on the Rock Ethics Institute’s website.