KIE History and Founders
The Kegley Institute of Ethics (KIE) was founded in 1986, in memory of Charles W. Kegley, first chair of the CSUB Philosophy and Religious Studies Department. Dr. Kegley believed philosophical explorations found richest development via connection with real people and real problems. Shortly after his diagnosis with terminal cancer, he and his colleagues determined to carry on this commitment by founding a practical and professional ethics center. Dr. Christopher Meyers was hired in 1986 to help bring the center to fruition. Working in collaboration with Dr. Jacquelyn Ann Kegley and department colleagues Dr. Gary Kessler and Dr. Bruce Jones, they devised a center whose mission is “To Inspire our Community to Recognize the Value of Thinking About and Engaging in Ethics.”
Unlike most centers from that period, KIE’s founders chose not to focus on a specific area (e.g., bioethics or business ethics), but instead committed to exploring – through education, research and community engagement – the ethical foundations that underlie all human activities.
Such explorations have emerged through speaker series that have hosted internationally renowned luminaries, as well as through a successful record of ethics education, research, consulting, and public philosophy.
Dr. Michael D. Burroughs served as KIE director from 2017 to 2023. Since then, Dr. Nate Olson has served as Interim Director (after serving as Associate Director since 2017). He and the KIE staff are continuing the traditions and legacies of the Institute while also working to expand its reach and impact on campus and in the community.
Programs and Initiatives
The Kegley Institute of Ethics is dedicated to inspiring ethical understanding and action in Kern County and beyond. Some of these initiatives include:
- Public events, such as our annual fall lectures and community conversations
- Undergraduate and faculty fellowships where students and faculty can engage in philosophical examination
- Conferences, seminars, and workshops which aim to promote equity, diversity, and dialogue
Through hosting internationally renowned speakers, leading conversations on campus and in the community, and supporting the work of ethical leaders at CSUB and in Kern County, the Kegley Institute of Ethics works to cultivate an ethical community in our region and world.
KIE Impacts
This KIE infographic provides a concrete image of selected impacts of our Institute on the CSUB Campus and in the greater Kern County Community. Please join our contact list, or see our Events Page to learn more about KIE future events and please support us so we can continue to grow this important work.