The University of Iowa Eight Over 80 Award


Dr. William "Bill" J. Daniels (64MA, 70PhD)

Throughout his long career in judicial politics and public law education, William J. "Bill" Daniels has been an unwavering advocate for peaceful conflict resolution, receiving numerous accolades for his community service and leadership.

Daniels was a professor and dean in the Rochester Institute of Technology's College of Liberal Arts, where he worked for 16 years and established a summer program in Croatia. He also co-founded a congressional internship program while at Union College and was a founding member of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, of which he was president. In addition, he served as vice president of the American Political Science Association and held numerous fellowships, including a Fulbright Fellowship and another for a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

In 2005, Daniels became a certified mediator in the state of New York, working with the Center for Dispute Settlement. At this nonprofit community-resolution center, he holds numerous arbitration and mediation certifications, including specializations in divorce, special education, Lemon Law, and other categories. The center honored him with the Janus Peacemaker Award in 2014 and named him Volunteer of the Month in December 2023.

Daniels dedicated his time and leadership to a wide range of nonprofit and municipal organizations, chairing the board of directors for Hillside Children's Center, where he served for 15 years, and for the Urban League of Rochester, New York. Additionally, he mentored high school students, arbitrated housing disputes, and served as a member and chair of a civilian review board for local law enforcement.

He is the recipient of several distinguished volunteer service awards, including the United Way's Howard Wilson Coles Community Leadership Award.

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The former AIB College of Business continues to promote a legacy of generosity by dedicating resources to support high-quality educational opportunities. Nancy Williams, her grandfather, Everett Fenton, and her father, Keith Fenton, each served subsequent terms as president of AIB dating to its founding in 1921. Under their family's leadership, they each brought their shared vision of providing access to college education to fruition. The AIB College of Business Scholarship Program, made possible through their remarkable philanthropic support, has enhanced the lives of numerous students throughout their educational journeys. As Cora Abbas, an AIB College of Business scholar from Iowa City notes, “the AIB Scholarship allows me to focus on my schoolwork and develop meaningful connections with peers and professionals. By being able to serve as the director of media for Iowa Interactive Investments and participating in the Hawkinson Institute of Finance, I have gained valuable insight into the investment banking industry, which has reinforced my decision to pursue a career in banking.” These awards, made possible by the Williams-Fenton family, encourage business students to achieve their goals and make the most of their Iowa experiences. About AIB The former AIB College of Business launched the careers of more than 50,000 alumni during its 95-year history. Founded in 1921, the college offered diplomas, associate degrees, and Bachelor of Science degrees, primarily in the fields of accounting, business administration, and court reporting. In 2015, AIB's Board of Trustees entered an agreement with the University of Iowa to donate its 20-acre campus for use by the UI. The university eventually sold the campus property in 2019. Proceeds from the sale created the AIB College of Business Scholarship Fund, which provides renewable $1,000 scholarship awards to qualified UI students.

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