Cornerstone for Business Building Principled Business Leaders

Cornerstone for Business is a signature initiative within the Mitch Daniels School of Business that integrates the humanities into business education to help students become principled, thoughtful, and impactful leaders who think critically, ask big questions, and understand business within historical, ethical, and social contexts.

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Opportunities for Students

Business Education with a Human Foundation

Cornerstone for Business is a collaborative initiative between the Daniels School of Business and Purdue’s Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts program. The program connects business education with enduring ideas, ethical leadership, and human-centered thinking to prepare students to lead with both competence and character.

Through coursework, executive perspectives, events, and interdisciplinary learning experiences, students are challenged to think critically about leadership, responsibility, freedom, markets, and the role business plays in society.

Built through a partnership

Mitch Daniels School of Business Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts

Principles of Business Leadership

Students engage directly with accomplished executives and business leaders through a dynamic interview series focused on the virtues that shape effective leadership. Supported by Doug and Maria DeVos, the program explores how qualities such as humility, integrity, compassion, stewardship, grit, and honesty influence decision-making, organizational culture, and long-term impact. Rooted in the Daniels School’s Freedom and Capitalism pillar, the experience prepares students to lead with both competence and character.

Ambassadors Program

Serving as Cornerstone for Business’ signature student engagement experience, this selective opportunity provides Daniels School students with leadership development, community engagement, and exclusive access to business leaders. Beginning in fall 2026, students will also have opportunities to connect with alumni through mentoring and leadership-focused engagement designed to support their personal and professional growth.

Application Opens October 2026

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Hearing executives describe how they apply these principles in challenging situations showed me how to translate abstract concepts into intentional actions I can practice daily. It made leadership tangible and something I can deliberately develop.

Gracelynn Hyman
BS Marketing & Finance '28

Certificate Program

The Cornerstone for Business Certificate experience is built around the Business and Management theme within Purdue’s Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts Certificate, giving students the opportunity to explore leadership, ethics, business, and society through an interdisciplinary experience that connects business education with the liberal arts.

Students develop critical thinking and principled leadership skills while engaging with real-world business perspectives.

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Cornerstone for Business Conference

Bringing Together Leaders, Scholars, and Industry

The Cornerstone for Business conference convenes business leaders, policymakers, faculty, students, and industry professionals to explore important questions shaping the role of business in society.

Through conversations, panels, and keynote discussions, the conference creates space for thoughtful dialogue around leadership, economics, ethics, public policy, and the future of business.

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