Our Namesake
The story of Bill Daniels, widely regarded as “the father of cable television,” is one of vision, entrepreneurship, and humanitarianism. He was recognized for his great business sense and for his commitment to ethics, integrity and values in everyday life. Bill Daniels was born in Greeley, Colorado. After graduating from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1941, Daniels joined the United States Navy and became a decorated World War II naval fighter pilot.
In 1952, Bill Daniels took his first steps in establishing himself in the broadcasting industry. He developed the idea that television broadcast signals could be relayed through microwave technology to provide residents of rural communities greater television reception. The success of his technology later led him to form Daniels and Associates in 1958.
Bill Daniels once said, “Kids who learn early about simple economics, banking, and personal finance have a huge head start on their peers and will become more financially aware as adults.” In 1987, Daniels established the Young Americans Bank, the first chartered bank in America dedicated to providing a hands-on learning experience for young people, ages 21 and under. Since its inception, the Young Americans Bank has served more than 50,000 young people. In addition, more than 200,000 children have participated in its nonprofit programs.
Bill Daniels’ success and reputation in the business community were matched only by his equally impressive reputation as a philanthropist. During his lifetime, Daniels donated millions to countless educational and philanthropic organizations. This included an $11 million gift to the University of Denver to incorporate ethics, values and social responsibility into the business school curriculum. He later donated another $11 million to help to build a technologically advanced building, which would further enable students to receive the best education available. The Daniels College of Business is named in his honor in recognition of his significant contributions.
The Daniels Fund was established shortly before his death. Colorado’s largest charity, the Fund aids projects that help the homeless, elderly and handicapped, as well as provides scholarships for underprivileged students.
Bill Daniels died on March 7, 2000. He left a legacy, in the Daniels College of Business, and in the life he led as a humanitarian, a businessman, and in the thousands of lives he touched.