2026 Cherry Braswell Rutland Memorial Award Recipient

Award Recipient: Makyah Harris-Dial

Makyah Harris-Dial is a sophomore at Clemson University currently studying nursing while exploring a future transition into psychology. Before beginning college, she spent two years working as an EMT, an experience that exposed her to the realities of caring for people in moments of vulnerability and crisis. During her first semester at Clemson, an ethics course sparked a deeper interest in philosophy and psychology, encouraging her to reflect more intentionally on empathy, moral responsibility, and the ways our personal values shape how we treat others.

For Makyah, ethical leadership is rooted in empathy and the willingness to support others with dignity and compassion, regardless of their circumstances. While working as an EMT, she encountered a situation in which a colleague allowed personal beliefs to interfere with the care of a patient experiencing a miscarriage. Recognizing the patient’s vulnerability, Makyah stepped forward to ensure she received respectful and compassionate care, advocating for the patient while maintaining professionalism in a difficult moment. The experience reinforced her belief that ethical leadership requires both courage and empathy. Looking ahead, Makyah hopes to pursue work supporting individuals facing trauma and hardship. Whether through counseling, healthcare, or community support, she hopes to ensure that those navigating difficult moments feel seen, respected, and supported.

Honorable Mention: Caroline Johns

Caroline Johns is an Honors student from Lexington, Kentucky, majoring in Supply Chain Management with a minor in Accounting at Clemson University. On campus, she serves on CHANGE, Clemson’s Student Ethics Committee, where she participates in conversations that challenge students to think critically about integrity, accountability, and leadership. She also contributes to financial oversight within Kappa Kappa Gamma, helping manage budgets with a focus on transparency and responsibility.

Caroline is particularly interested in the role ethics plays in business decision-making, especially within sustainable supply chains. Through her studies and a summer internship with DHL Supply Chain, she is exploring how organizations can balance efficiency, environmental responsibility, and long-term community impact. Her commitment to ethical leadership was demonstrated during a class project when she spoke up against altering data to produce more favorable results, reinforcing her belief that integrity in small decisions builds the foundation for responsible leadership.

Honorable Mention: Sheridan Diehl

Sheridan Diehl is a junior from Columbia, South Carolina, majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice at Clemson University. She is actively involved across campus through organizations such as the National Alzheimer’s Association, Criminal Justice Club, Catholic Tigers, and several club sports, including swimming, boxing, and triathlon. Sheridan has also participated in programs such as the Charleston Police Department Tiger Academy and Clemson’s Ethics Scholars Workshop, experiences that have strengthened her interest in ethical leadership and public service.

Sheridan plans to pursue a career in federal law enforcement as a special agent, a path that requires strong ethical judgment and the ability to make responsible decisions under pressure. Her commitment to fairness and integrity was demonstrated during an internship with a law enforcement agency, where she helped review applications for future interns. When evaluating an applicant with whom she had personal history, Sheridan chose to set aside personal dynamics and recommend the candidate based solely on qualifications, reinforcing her belief that ethical leadership requires honesty, impartiality, and accountability.