A new name for the UNI College of Business
The Iowa Board of Regents will consider UNI’s request to name its college of business after alumnus David W. Wilson at its November meeting. If approved, the Wilson College of Business would become the first named college on the UNI campus.
Wilson, who earned his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from UNI in 1970, is president and owner of one of the largest privately-owned automotive groups in the country. He has pledged a $25 million transformational gift, the largest single gift UNI history, with the intent to meet four key strategic priorities in UNI’s business programs:
- Establish the Wilson Scholars Program, targeting students in Tama County who demonstrate financial need and exhibit Midwestern work-ethic. Wilson grew up in Tama County
- Elevate ethics and integrity as a core component of the Wilson College of Business brand.
- Expand ethics education for business and non-business students to ensure critical thinking and ethical decision making remain central to UNI’s mission.
- Foster innovation and excellence
“This gift to UNI is made in the hope that this money will transform the university; transform the College of Business,” said David Wilson to Inside UNI. “I’m hoping this gift will ensure students will learn to do things the right way.”
Wilson previously gifted $1 million to establish the David W. Wilson Chair in Business Ethics in the UNI College of Business.
Wilson’s gift and Board approval ensures all three Regents business colleges bear the names of successful and generous alumni. The University of Iowa’s College of Business was named in honor of Henry B. Tippie in 1999, while Iowa State University’s College of Business was named in honor of Debbie and Jerry Ivy in 2017.
More Coverage from Inside UNI:
- David W. Wilson pledges $25 million to UNI
- $25 million gift ushers in new era business education
- Reception speech: Why David Wilson chose to donate $25 million to UNI
