Center for Ethics and Religious Values in Business

Dear friends,

Ethics has been in the DNA of the Mendoza College of Business since its founding in 1921. Its first dean, 33-year-old Holy Cross priest John Francis O’Hara (later to become a Cardinal), stated the mission well: “The primary function of commerce is to serve humankind. Business has a code of ethics based very largely on divine principles. And when the code is followed, commerce can and does advance civilization. The College of Commerce has a real function. It should send people into business with a sound knowledge of business theory, with the sort of character that should grace a gentleman of the world, with lofty ideals of citizenship, and a sound conception of business morality based on the seventh commandment and the eight Beatitudes. And this person should have a character that will put these principles into practice under whatever temptations the world might offer.”

Today, The Center for Ethics and Religious Values in Business, founded in 1978, seeks to strengthen the Judeo-Christian ethical foundations in business and public policy decisions through research, publication, fostering dialogue among academic and corporate leaders, and integrating the teaching of ethics throughout the business curriculum at Notre Dame; all with a particular focus on Catholic Social Teaching. A major initiative of the Center and Mendoza College of Business is the new Business Ethics and Society Program, created to offer business ethics faculty a common home.

The Center for Ethics and Religious Values in Business is pleased to share this teaching with Notre Dame’s alumni, families, and friends on ThinkND.

Yours in Notre Dame,

Rev. Oliver Williams, C.S.C.

Director, Center for Ethics and Religious Values in Business

University of Notre Dame