The Lester G. Wendt and Michael Lester Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque was established in March 2004. Implementation of the Initiative began with the 2004-2005 academic year.

Funding for the Initiative is made possible by a generous memorial gift from the son and daughter-in-law of the late Lester G. Wendt and the parents of Michael Lester Wendt. In so doing, the donors wished to advance those principles of living and working exemplified by Lester and Michael that informed their concerns for lives of purpose and character.

Thus, consistent with the University's stated Mission and Values and its Reformed Christian heritage, the overarching goal of the Initiative is to enhance character formation throughout the campus among students, faculty, staff, and other constituents in a manner that promotes a shared culture of character incorporating the virtues of truthfulness, honesty, fairness, and The Golden Rule.

The Wendt Center for Character Education has responsibility for oversight of the total Initiative. Other components of the Initiative include Faculty Support, Wendt Character Scholarships, Michael Lester Wendt Lecture Series, Wendt Library Collection, and Dubuque Opportunity Scholars.