Ann Compton of ABC News and Professor Michael Hyde, communication ethics professor at Wake Forest University, are the keynote speakers at the 2004 DU School of Communications Summit.

This year’s summit, the second annual, is Feb. 18, 19 and 20. The topic is “Communication and Ethics.”

“We felt it was very important to raise the profile and importance of ethics across all parts of the community and to provide a forum for the discussion of key ethical issues and dilemmas among DU students, faculty and staff along with Denver community members,” said Mike Wirth, director of the School of Communication.

“The Faculty Planning Committee felt that communication and ethics was an ideal theme around which to organize this year’s summit,” Wirth said. He said he hopes the three-day event will “provide a forum for the discussion of key ethical issues and dilemmas among DU students, faculty, and staff along with Denver community members.”

This year’s program includes workshops that explore a wide variety of topics, including crafting an ethical culture in Denver city government and a workshop on “Ethics in the Digital Age.”

The summit begins on Feb. 18 with a gala dinner at the Cable Center at which Compton is the keynote speaker.

On Feb. 19, several workshops on ethics in media, business and personal relations are scheduled primarily for students. Hyde is the keynote speaker for the luncheon. Feb. 20 is “Professional Development Day” for local business and community members.

“This is a morning of panels addressing ethical issues of importance to communication and business professionals,” said Wirth.

He added, “The diverse nature of the ethical challenges we face as individuals, organizations and corporations make this year’s SOC Summit a ‘must attend’ conference for DU students.”

Wirth has worked with Cathy Grieve, coordinator of School of Communication Summit 2004, SOC faculty, staff and students to organize the event.