Louenda Downs Named Recipient of First Richard's Institute Ethical Leadership Award

OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University’s Richard Richards Institute for Ethics will recognize former Davis County Commissioner Louenda Downs as the first winner of the institute’s Ethical Leadership Award. The award will be presented at the Davis Chamber of Commerce luncheon May 21 at 11:30 a.m. in the WSU Davis Building 3 Ballrooms.
 
“Louenda is honest and accurate in all she does,” said Dave Steele, a member of the Richards Institute board. “Her actions are directed by the deeply entrenched commitment to finding solutions that represent the best interest of all the people she is serving — not directed by self-serving motivation or personal gain.”
 
The Ethical Leadership Award honors outstanding examples of ethical leadership in Utah.
 
“The goal of this award is to honor an outstanding individual or organization so ethical leadership will be recognized, celebrated and encouraged,” said Sheryl Allen, Richards Institute Advisory Board chair.
 
Downs recently retired from eight years of service as a Davis County Commissioner, where she emphasized improvements in libraries, behavioral health, trails and children’s causes as well as fiscal responsibility. The rotating art shows at the county administration building are a direct result of her recognition of the talented artists that reside in Davis County and the value of displaying their work for all to enjoy. 
 
Prior to her service as commissioner, Downs was the Associate Director of the Davis Education Foundation. She served eight years on the Davis Board of Education and was elected for four years as president. During that time she was the Davis County Council of Governments vice chair. She serves currently on the Weber State University Board of Trustees.
 
“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do,” said Steve Rawlings, former Davis County clerk/auditor. “This relates directly to Louenda Downs.”
 
The Richards Institute for Ethics was established in 2007 to teach and inspire ethical leadership in all disciplines. Its goal is to create greater awareness about political decency and educate and prepare future generations to make ethical decisions.
 
The public is invited to attend the luncheon. Former U.S. Rep. James V. Hansen, who served on the U.S. House Committee on Ethics for more than 10 years, will be the keynote speaker.
 
To reserve a place at the luncheon, call 801-593-2200 or visit davischamberofcommerce.com/events.  Tickets to the luncheon are $20 for chamber members and $25 for non-chamber members.
 
For more information on the Richards Institute, visit weber.edu/richardsinstitute.
 
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
 
Author:
Nathan Clark, WSU Development Director
801-626-7539 • nathanclark1@weber.edu
Contact:
Sheryl Allen, Richards Institute board chair
801-726-4203 • sherylallenut@yahoo.com
 
Angie Osguthorpe, Davis Chamber of Commerce president/CEO
801-593-2209 • angie@davischamberofcommerce.com