Tribute to an Ethics Scholar
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business is mourning the loss of Professor Emeritus Andy Wicks, a mentor to students and a pioneer in applying ethical philosophy to the realities of business life. Wicks, known for his warmth, rigor, and commitment to questions that matter, passed away in Colorado after a battle with a neurodegenerative disease. His legacy extends far beyond classroom lectures, touching the way leaders think about purpose, responsibility, and the human side of business.
A Life Driven by Big Questions
Wicks’ career was defined by his insistence that business ethics is not an abstract discipline but a practical guide for living well. Drawing from his background in religious studies, he explored four core questions that structured his later work: Who are we? Why are we here? What does it mean to live a good life? How should we relate to others? These questions, he believed, offered a pathway to meaning in professional and personal spheres alike.
The Ultimate Questions Project
In the months leading to his death, Wicks focused on completing his forthcoming book, Ultimate Questions: A Stakeholder Guide to the Business of Your Life. He described this work as potentially his most meaningful, a culmination of decades of thinking about how individuals can align their work with deeper values. The book, which builds on his courses in Business Ethics, Leadership, Values and Ethics, and Responsible Management, invites readers to wake up to the life they are shaping through everyday decisions.
A Legacy in Teaching and Leadership
Wicks joined Darden in 2002 after a decade at the University of Washington, and he quickly became a beloved figure among students and faculty. His leadership roles included directing the Olsson Center for Applied Ethics, serving as academic director of the Institute for Business in Society, advising for the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics, and leading Darden’s Doctoral Program. Through these roles, he demonstrated how ethical theory can inform leadership practice, corporate governance, and social impact.
Impact Beyond the Classroom
Colleagues emphasize that Wicks’ influence extended well beyond his syllabus. His collaborations with Ed Freeman, widely regarded as a father of stakeholder theory, helped shape a generation of researchers and practitioners who seek to balance profit with purpose. Freeman called Wicks one of his closest colleagues, noting that his life embodied integrity and grace. The mutual respect between mentor and collaborator underscored a shared conviction that business ethics should guide real-world decision making, not merely debate.
A Personal Note from the Community
Dean Scott Beardsley and Senior Associate Dean Sankaran Venkataraman described Wicks as a cherished member of the Darden and UVA communities. His students recall courses like Business Ethics and Leadership, Values and Ethics as formative experiences—teaching tools that help future leaders align values with action. In a field often defined by theory, Wicks demonstrated that ethical leadership is about daily choices, reflection, and a commitment to the betterment of society.
Honoring Andy’s Light
In a touching note from his family, friends and colleagues are invited to honor Wicks by lighting a candle in his memory on November 1, rather than sending sympathy cards. The image of his life—the mountains of Colorado, the music-filled space around his final moments, and the quiet humor that marked his conversations—remains a guide for those who continue to study ethics in business and life.
Looking Forward
As the UVA Darden community processes this loss, the enduring message of Wicks’ work remains clear: ethics in business is not a set of rules but a framework for living well. His forthcoming book, Ultimate Questions, will continue to inspire readers to examine who they are, why they do what they do, and how they intend to live in a way that honors others. The field of business ethics has lost a thoughtful voice, but his ideas will persist in classrooms, boardrooms, and the lives of those who choose to ask hard, human questions every day.
