At Emory University, there is a program where students are learning all about Ethics and Servant leadership while stepping up to work at organizations all around the city of Atlanta.

The D. Abbott Turner Program in Ethics and Servant Leadership, also known as the EASL program, is hosted through the Emory Center for Ethics. The program got its start in 2000, through a gift from William Turner to honor his father D. Abbott Turner, a prominent Georgia businessman and philanthropist. 

 Through this program students intern at local non-profits, government agencies, and socially responsible businesses, while learning all about what it means to be a leader and serve those around you. It typically runs from May through July. Students intern four days a week and meet on Fridays to discuss their various placements and how to apply different ethical principles and questions to their work. It is a great way for students to have a structured experience during the summer while doing great work in their community. Students have interned at places like the Alliance Theatre, the IRC, Wholesome Wave Georgia, and more. GPB has had the honor of being among the organizations that the Center for Ethics has partnered with for this program.

This marks the second intern cohort that GPB has worked with through the EASL program. Last summer we worked with Yonah Temlock and Joyce Zhang. These two interns did amazing work for the organization and were a joy to work with. This summer, our interns Maylee O’Brien  and Thalia Vincent, will be working on a variety of projects across the organizations. We look forward to the great work that Maylee and Thalia will take on this summer.

 The EASL program is led by Dr. Edward Queen, the director for 21 years, and Mary Rachel Henderson, the program coordinator. Both have dedicated hours of work to the program. When asked to give a statement on the importance of this program, Dr. Edward Queen said that one of the former program participants stated it best. “Not only do student interns gain vital exposure and develop a range of skills vital to their future lives and the workplace, the Ethics and Servant Leadership Program offers them with a unique opportunity to play a significant, positive role in the well-being of the people, organizations, and communities to which they belong.”

Is this a program that your community organization would like to partner with in the future? The EASL program is always open to new community partners, as they strive to provide students with a wide variety of possibilities aimed at aiding the community. Learn more about the program here.