Daniels Fund Awards $3 Million to UW College of Business

March 3, 2008 — Business ethics education in the Rocky Mountain region received a major boost with the announcement that the Daniels Fund has awarded the University of Wyoming College of Business $3 million for the Bill Daniels Chair of Business Ethics.

It is the largest single private foundation contribution for an academic program endowment in UW's history. The state of Wyoming is matching the Daniels Fund's ethics commitment through its UW endowment challenge program to create a $6 million endowment. Through the program, each substantial private donation to the university's endowment fund is matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

"The announcement highlights the reputation of UW's College of Business as an emerging national leader in forming students in principle-based ethics," says Brent Hathaway, UW College of Business dean. The latest commitment expands on previous commitments by the Daniels Fund to establish the program, he adds.

"The relationship we have with the Daniels Fund is as important as any we have at the college," Hathaway says. "This organization and its leadership team are truly devoted to the ideals of Bill Daniels. I can think of no better partner than the Daniels Fund for helping us integrate principle-based business ethics throughout Wyoming and the region."

The support for the Bill Daniels Chair of Business Ethics allows UW to further integrate business ethics concepts throughout the curriculum, to expand the program to the state's seven community colleges, and to provide opportunities for students to interact with business executives to better understand the ethical expectations and issues faced in the real world. The endowment also offers opportunities for non-business majors to learn business ethics and leadership.

"Our founder, Bill Daniels, considered achieving a reputation for integrity and being ethical in business as the greatest accomplishments in his life," says Linda Childears, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund. "In establishing innovative programs around the Bill Daniels Chair of Business Ethics, the University of Wyoming has positioned itself as a national leader in forming a new generation of professionals committed to principle-based ethics in the workplace."

UW already has been a sponsor of the premier national conference on teaching business ethics for business professors and program directors, the AACSB (Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business) International Teaching Business Ethics Conference.

The grant helps UW to further disseminate business ethics and leadership curricula nationwide, Hathaway says, and also will allow UW to become a resource for Wyoming businesses in the area of business ethics and social responsibility.

The Daniels Fund operates the Daniels Fund Scholarship Program and the Daniels Fund Grants Program in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The fund was established in 1997 by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, who launched his first cable system in Casper in 1953.

For more information contact Kent Noble, UW College of Business assistant dean, at (307) 766-3043 or e-mail knoble@uwyo.edu.

Photo

University of Wyoming College of Business Dean Brent Hathaway, left, discusses a $3 million Daniels Fund Endowment Monday at the State Capitol with Wyoming Senate President John Schiffer and Linda Childears, Daniels Fund president. The donation, the largest single private foundation contribution for an academic program endowment in UW's history, creates the Bill Daniels Chair of Business Ethics. The state of Wyoming will match the gift to create a $6 million endowment. (UW photo)