It's with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Professor Emeritus Andy Wicks, a brilliant mind and a beloved figure at UVA Darden. His final work, the book "Ultimate Questions," was more than just a publication; it was a culmination of his life's work as an academic, ethicist, and philosopher.
In an interview earlier this year, Professor Wicks himself shared, "It is very fitting that this will be my last book and my last major publication... It has been a tremendous joy. I didn’t understand it when I started, but it is clear to me now that this was the thing that I was put on earth to do — not necessarily just to write this specific book, but to be invested in — and articulate — this path, this way of engaging with life, this way of living these questions.” This statement encapsulates the essence of his dedication to exploring life's deepest inquiries.
Professor Wicks, the Ruffin Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, peacefully passed away in Colorado due to a neurodegenerative disease. His passing was shared with the Darden community by his longtime colleague and friend, Professor Bobby Parmar, at the request of Andy's wife, Cathy.
But here's where it gets personal: Even in this difficult announcement, a touch of Wicks's characteristic humor shone through. He was apparently relieved to have avoided watching the Tennessee vs. Alabama game, highlighting his priorities even in his final moments. This anecdote, shared by his wife, illustrates his devotion to ethics and the pursuit of a meaningful life. He was surrounded by the Colorado mountains he loved, with music and candles, and said he was relieved that he didn’t have to watch the Tennessee vs. Alabama game.
With a background in religious studies, Wicks earned his degrees at the University of Tennessee and UVA. He joined Darden's faculty in 2002, after a decade at the University of Washington School of Business. Dean Scott Beardsley and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research Sankaran Venkataraman noted that Wicks quickly became a beloved figure among both students and colleagues. They emphasized the indelible mark he left on the UVA and Darden communities, the Academy of Management, and the business world.
Interestingly, becoming a business professor wasn't Wicks's initial path. He initially leaned towards medical ethics or applied religious ethics. But a meeting with Darden Professor Ed Freeman, the father of stakeholder theory, changed his trajectory. Wicks became Freeman's research assistant, and they co-authored three books together. Freeman remembers Wicks as someone who lived with integrity and grace, reflecting in the book.
During his time at Darden, Wicks held key leadership roles, including director of the Olsson Center for Applied Ethics, academic director of the Institute for Business in Society, and director of Darden’s Doctoral Program. He taught MBA courses such as Business Ethics and Leadership, Values and Ethics.
His book, "Ultimate Questions: A Stakeholder Guide to the Business of Your Life," tackles four fundamental questions: Who are we? Why are we here? What does it mean to live a good life? How should we get along with others? And this is the part most people miss: Wicks saw his book as an invitation to wake up and pay attention to life's hard questions, not to satisfy an external critic, but to live the life you desire. His life served as a testament to the principles he explored.
In lieu of sympathy cards, the family requests that friends honor Andy's memory by lighting a candle on November 1st.
What are your thoughts on Professor Wicks's approach to life and ethics? Do you agree with his emphasis on asking fundamental questions, or do you have a different perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
