Since the October 2023 announcement of the Wilson Endowment, and with year two of funding nearing its end, momentum is building across the Wilson College of Business and the University of Northern Iowa. Strategic investments are expanding ethics education, elevating student opportunities, empowering faculty, and strengthening the Wilson brand in visible and measurable ways. What began as a bold vision now delivers real impact for students, faculty and the broader UNI community.

Expanding Ethics Education

Ethics education continues to reach more students across campus, with active collaboration between the Wilson College of Business and the Department of Philosophy and World Religions. In the past academic year alone, more than 550 students enrolled in ethics-related coursework, including flagship courses such as Business, Ethics & Society and Ethics for Professional Life taught by Wilson Ethics Fellows, Robert Earle and Nicholas Sars. To meet growing demand, a third Wilson Ethics Fellow will join in fall 2026, with a search underway. New courses, such as Ethics in the Age of AI and Ethical Capitalism, are also in development. 

Growing the Ethics Minor

Student commitment to ethics is increasingly reflected in intentional academic choices. UNI’s ethics minor has become one of the fastest-growing programs on campus, rising more than 250% since fall 2023. This rapid growth demonstrates how strongly students value ethical grounding as a complement to their professional studies, and how essential the minor has become in helping them approach complex, values-based decisions with clarity, purpose and integrity.

Developing an Ethics Major

Building on this remarkable growth, the Department of Philosophy and World Religions is proposing a full-fledged ethics major for business students. This next step honors David W. Wilson’s vision of empowering future leaders to act ethically and responsibly. As students increasingly seek careers that blend professional success with personal values, the new major will provide a deeper, more comprehensive foundation in ethical reasoning. Graduates will be prepared to navigate emerging challenges in business and technology and lead positive change in their communities.

Advancing Student Excellence and Innovation

We’re elevating student excellence through leadership, recognition and real-world experience. Students earned nationally recognized credentials, including the NASBA Ethical Leadership Credential, and proudly represented UNI at national conferences. Outside the classroom, entrepreneurship programs empowered dozens of students through Startup Weekend, campus competitions and the Holiday Market — fostering innovation, collaboration and leadership at every stage.

Empowering Faculty to Advance Our Mission

The Wilson Endowment is also strengthening the college’s academic foundation by supporting faculty whose work advances our mission. Two new faculty members joined UNI as the first Wilson College Scholars, positioning them to grow as teacher‑scholars while making meaningful contributions to their disciplines. The endowment also enabled an opportunistic hire that expanded the MBA program's capacity, reinforcing the college’s commitment to high‑quality graduate education. In addition, Wilson funding is allowing the college to explore offering ethics-focused continuing education programs that help professionals meet professional certification requirements and extend our impact beyond campus.

Elevating the Wilson College Brand

The Wilson College brand continues to gain awareness and visibility across campus and beyond. The Wilson College of Business identity has been fully deployed throughout college buildings and integrated into marketing efforts, supported by new building signage and faculty and staff engagement initiatives. Together, these efforts reinforce a clear, consistent and unified presence that strengthens recognition and builds pride. 

Looking Ahead

As the Wilson College of Business continues to build on the extraordinary momentum sparked by the Wilson Endowment, the path forward is shaped by David W. Wilson’s enduring vision to “do well by doing good.” His commitment to empowering students to lead with integrity is already transforming the academic landscape at UNI. This is only the beginning. With expanding ethics programs, a rapidly growing student community and plans for a full-fledged ethics major, the University of Northern Iowa is poised to become a recognized leader for ethics education. This investment not only strengthens UNI’s capacity to prepare principled, future-ready leaders but also positions the university to shape national conversations and research on ethics in business, technology and society. The opportunities ahead are as ambitious as the vision that inspired them, and the impact will resonate for generations.