Tribute to a Thoughtful Ethicist
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business is mourning the passing of Professor Emeritus Andy Wicks, a scholar whose work bridged philosophy, religious ethics, and practical business leadership. Wicks, who passed away in Colorado after a battle with a neurodegenerative disease, leaves behind a powerful intellectual legacy and a personal example of living a life oriented toward deeper questions and meaningful action.
From Religious Ethics to Business Ethics
Wicks’ academic journey began in religious studies, with early aspirations toward medical ethics or applied philosophical ethics. His path shifted after meeting Darden Professor Ed Freeman, a pioneer of stakeholder theory. Freed by Freeman’s ideas, Wicks embraced a business ethics lens, eventually becoming Freeman’s research assistant and collaborating on several influential books and papers. This cross-pollination of religious ethics with corporate responsibility helped redefine how scholars and practitioners think about the purpose of business in society.
A Lasting Contribution: Ultimate Questions
As he devoted himself to completing his final work, Ultimate Questions: A Stakeholder Guide to the Business of Your Life, Wicks saw the project as both a culmination and a call to action. He explained in an interview that the book was likely his last major publication, and that the questions it raises are not merely theoretical but deeply personal. The work challenges readers to ask: Who are we? Why are we here? What does it mean to live a good life? How should we get along with others? These four questions reflect a lifetime of inquiry and a plea for readers to engage with their own lives more consciously.
A Book as an Invitation
Wicks described the book as an invitation to wake up and pay attention — not to appease external critics, but to cultivate the life one hopes to live. In his view, thoughtful reflection on daily choices can shape leadership, ethics, and the way organizations pursue value and meaning. The book’s approach aligns with his broader work on responsible management, emphasizing human flourishing, integrity, and the responsibilities that come with organizational influence.
Leadership, Teaching, and Influence at Darden
Throughout his tenure at Darden, Wicks wore many hats. He served as director of the Olsson Center for Applied Ethics, academic director of the Institute for Business in Society, and academic adviser for the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics. He also directed Darden’s Doctoral Program, shaping generations of scholars. His MBA courses—Business Ethics; Leadership, Values and Ethics; Faith, Religion and Responsible Management Decision Making; and Ultimate Questions and Creating Value in Business—were known for their rigor, empathy, and real-world relevance.
Legacy and Remembrance
Wicks’ influence extended beyond the classroom and university. Colleagues, students, and the broader academic community remember him as a thoughtful, generous colleague who lived the values he taught. He leaves behind a cadre of students and scholars who continue to explore the ethical dimensions of business, guided by his insights into stakeholder engagement, purpose, and the moral responsibilities of leadership.
In Gratitude and Light
The Darden community was reminded of Wicks’ warmth and humor even in difficult moments. In a message from his longtime colleague, the sense of loss was tempered by his enduring contributions and the lasting questions he invited others to consider. In lieu of sympathy cards, his family requests lighting a candle in Andy’s honor on November 1, symbolizing the light he brought to those around him.
Looking Ahead
Andy Wicks’ life offers a model for researchers and practitioners: pursue the hard questions with integrity, teach with passion, and continually translate philosophical insights into practical guidance for responsible leadership. His final book will continue to spark dialogue about how individuals and organizations can live meaningful, ethical lives amid complex business realities.
Lauren Foster contributed to this report, and the Darden community continues to honor a colleague whose work and life challenged others to think more deeply about the path they choose in business and in life.
