After she survivied the Heritage Foundation inquisition yesterday, University of West Florida President Martha Saunders was named, along wiuth businessman Kevin Green, named he 2025 recipients of the annual Ethics in Business Award.
The University of West Florida Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business and the Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola made the announcement during the 23rd Combined Rotary Luncheon held at the Pensacola Yacht Club.
Background
The prestigious recognition celebrates individuals who exemplify the Rotary principle of “service above self” and contribute positively to both the business community and broader society.
- Recipients are selected based on their demonstration of high ethical standards—honesty, integrity, and consistency—in their relationships with employees, contractors, and customers. The award also acknowledges those who enhance the economic well-being of stakeholders while creating jobs, opportunities, and profits.
Dr. Martha D. Saunders: Large Business Sector Honoree
Dr. Saunders, who has served as president of the University of West Florida since 2017, received the award in the large business category, representing organizations with 50 or more employees. Under her leadership, UWF has achieved remarkable milestones:
- Record enrollment numbers
- Top-tier rankings in U.S. News & World Report
- The prestigious Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation
- Designation as a Research 2 university
- Recognition as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years
With more than three decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Saunders is recognized as an academic expert in public relations and crisis communication. Her professional accomplishments include receiving two Silver Anvil awards from the Public Relations Society of America.
- “This award is a huge honor for which I am very grateful,” Saunders remarked. “It puts me in the company of some of the most outstanding leaders I have ever known. In our business, every decision we make is a chance to do the right thing. I’m proud to live in a community that values service and integrity.”
Kevin Green: Small Business Sector Honoree
Kevin Green, owner and operator of The Butcher Shoppe on Langley Avenue in Pensacola, was recognized in the small business division. His establishment has been serving the community for 18 years.
Green has demonstrated his commitment to community service through nearly a decade of support for the Rotary Club’s signature fundraiser, Burger Battle by the Bay. His contributions include donations of hundreds of pounds of meat and thousands of dollars in gift certificates. The annual burger cooking competition raises funds for Take Stock in Children and the Subwest Rotary Foundation.
Upon receiving the award, Green expressed, “I am honored and humbled to receive this award. I’ve always looked up to things the Rotary stands for and try to operate my business with those same core values.”
For additional information about the UWF Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business, visit uwf.edu/lbjcob.