Business Ethics and Society Fellows

The BESP Scholars Colloquium is a one-and-a-half credit undergraduate course sponsored by Mendoza’s Business Ethics and Society Program (BESP). The course is open only to 2024–’25 BESP Scholars, who will meet weekly to discuss readings, engage with invited speakers, and form a community of Notre Dame business students interested in exploring the nature of honorable business and their personal commitments to creating value both for themselves and for others.

BESP Scholars are competitively selected not only based on their academic excellence and good character but also based on their ability and willingness to serve as ambassadors to the world of Mendoza and Notre Dame as honorable businesspeople. They help set the moral tone for Mendoza students, and they shape the distinctive culture of Notre Dame business education. To be a BESP Scholar is thus not only a distinguished accomplishment but also a special responsibility.

BESP Scholars will enjoy weekly dinners together while discussing both emergent and perennial issues in business ethics and political economy with Professor Robson and special guests. BESP Scholars will also be invited to participate in activities of the Business Ethics and Society Program beyond the Colloquium, such as meals together and Mendoza and BESP-sponsored lectures.

"The colloquium has been a great opportunity for me to connect with a small group of really dedicated, intelligent students and faculty to discuss the nature of honorable business . Being in the colloquium has helped challenge and change my view of what a business professional should be and the program is really true to the Mendoza College of Business's goal to "Grow the Good in Business."

Tommy Tight '26

How To Apply

Colloquium Speakers

Fall 2024

  • Meghan Sullivan | Wilsey Family College Professor of Philosophy & Director, Notre Dame Ethics Initiative

  • Frederick Nwanganga | Associate Teaching Professor; IT, Analytics, and Operations

  • Tim Weninger | Frank M. Freimann Collegiate Professor of Engineering

  • David O'Connor | Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, and a fellow in the Business, Ethics, and Society Program

  • John Sikorski | Assistant Teaching Professor, Business Ethics and Society

  • Melissa Moschella | Professor of the Practice, Philosophy

Spring 2025

  • Martijn Cremers | Martin J. Gillen Dean & Bernard J. Hank Professor of Finance

  • Daniel Philpott | Professor of Political Science

  • Dave O'Connor | Professor of Philosophy

  • James Otteson | John T. Ryan Jr. Professor of Business Ethics; Faculty Director of the Business Honors Program

  • Nicholas Berente | Professor & Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs, IT Analytics & Operations