Business

Small businesses

The Heartbeat of Community

Think of the fond places you frequent in your hometown. Maybe it’s the corner pizza shop, the downtown grocery store, or the bank next door. In many towns, these businesses are essential, employing community members and providing the only goods and services available for miles.
UDEA Award of Excellence recipients

UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center’s economic development collaboration receives UDEA Award of Excellence

The University Economic Development Association (UDEA) recognized UNI for its Iowa CORE Black Capital Studies + Projects, receiving an Award of Excellence.
UNI campus in the fall

Building the UNI tomorrow needs

In October 2022, the university publicly launched Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI, a comprehensive fundraising campaign seeking to raise $250 million to support student access and success, engaged learning, academic programs and faculty, and iconic spaces.
Wilson College of Business celebrated with applause and confetti

Announcement remarks: David Wilson on his historic $25 million donation to UNI

At an event announcing a historic $25 million donation to the University of Northern Iowa, David Wilson delivered these remarks to the Panther community.
David Wilson delivering remarks at luncheon

Reception speech: Why David Wilson chose to donate $25 million to UNI

At a special luncheon celebrating his historic $25 million donation to UNI, David Wilson explains why this gift is so important to him.
Students studying at UNI

The history of Business at University of Northern Iowa

Business education has a rich history at the University of Northern Iowa that has made it the top-ranked program it is today. Take a journey through some highlights the business program has experienced from its inception at UNI.
David W. Wilson

David Wilson, 1970 UNI graduate and founder of Wilson Automotive

David W. Wilson considers his story to be emblematic of the American Dream. Through sheer determination and a belief in doing business the right way, he rose from a small-town Iowa kid with a lower middle class background to become chairman and CEO of Wilson Automotive, one of the country’s largest privately held auto dealerships.
Student working on computer

$25 Million gift ushers in a new era of business education

The newly named David W. Wilson College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa and the campus community are ushering in a new era of transformative education thanks to the historic $25 million donation from David W. Wilson. In 2022 the university launched its largest and most aggressive capital campaign, Our Tomorrow. The goal is large but the mission is simple: ask ourselves what does the world need tomorrow and deliver. At UNI, we’ve never stopped thinking about what our students, state and world…